First demonstration and detailed characterization of a multimode amplifier for space division multiplexed transmission systems

We present the first demonstration of a multimode (two mode-group) erbium-doped fiber amplifier for Space Division Multiplexed (SDM) applications and demonstrate various design and performance features of such devices. In particular we experimentally demonstrate that differential modal gains can be controlled and reduced both by fiber design and control of the pump field distribution. Using a suitably designed fiber we demonstrate simultaneous modal gains of similar to 20dB for different pair-wise combinations of spatial and polarization modes in an EDFA supporting amplification of 6 distinct modes. (C) 2011 Optical Society of America