19-core MCF transmission system using EDFA with shared core pumping coupled via free-space optics

We report the development of a space division multiplexed (SDM) transmission system consisting of a 19-core fiber and 19-core Erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA). A new 19-core fiber with an improved core arrangement was employed to achieve a low aggregated inter-core crosstalk of -42 dB at 1550 nm over 30 km. The EDFA uses shared free-space optics for pump beam combining and isolation, thus is SDM transparent and has some potential for cost reduction. 19.6 dB to 23.3 dB gain and 6.0 dB to 7.0 dB noise figure were obtained for each SDM channel at 1550 nm. System feasibility for SDM transmission over 1200 km was demonstrated with 100 Gb/s PDM-QPSK signals. (C) 2013 Optical Society of America