The nonlinear Schrödinger equation and the cross-phase modulation in erbium-doped fiber amplifiers

Abstract

The nonlinear Schr?dinger equation (NLSE) in erbium-doped fiber (EDF) was obtained. The cross-phase modulation (XPM) in the erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFA) was studied based on this NLSE and the rate equations. A more generalized form of the propagation equation in EDFA was obtained which included the phase shifts the EDFA induced. An analytical expression was given to the XPM in the EDFA. It was found that the XPM in the EDFA dose not change very much with the wavelength except at the neighboring wavelengths (around 1531 nm) where the absorption and emission cross-sections of the erbium ions reach their maxima, and the XPMs have opposite signs on the two sides around 1531 nm. Furthermore, it was found that the XPM increases with the increase of the length of EDF.