Andreas Benz

3.9-dB OSNR gain by an NOLM-based 2-R regenerator

We experimentally demonstrate bit-error-rate (BER) improvement of more than nine decades by an asymmetric nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM). This can be related to an optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) gain of up to 3.9 dB with respect to the NOLM input OSNR at a bit rate of 40 GB/s. The principle of operation of NOLM-based 2-R regeneration with respect to BER improvement is investigated and it is experimentally shown that BER improvement cannot be detected directly at the regenerators output.

Single- and alternating-polarization 170-gb/s transmission up to 4000 km using dispersion-managed fiber and all-Raman amplification

We demonstrate transmission of 170-Gb/s single- and alternating-polarization return-to-zero differential phase-shift keying signals in a recirculating loop using dispersion-managed fiber spans and all-Raman amplification. In the single polarization case, bit-error-ratio (BER) values of 5times10-9 and 1.6times10 -4 were obtained after 960 and 2880 km, respectively. In the alternating polarization case, significantly larger transmission distances were achieved, with BER values of 2times10-9 after 1920 km and 5times10-5 after 4320 km, respectively

170 Gbit/s single-polarization transmission over 650 km SSMF with 130 km spans using RZ-DPSK

We report on single-polarization 170 Gbit/s transmission over 650 km SSMF using the RZ-DPSK modulation format with base rate 42.6 Gbit/s, with hybrid EDFA/Raman amplification in all five 130 km spans and with error-free transmission without FEC in all tributaries.

BER improvement using a 2-R regenerator based on an asymmetric nonlinear optical loop mirror

BER improvement of 15 decades is observed using an asymmetric NOLM at a bitrate of 40Gbit/s and an input OSNR of 28.7dB. The BER improvement can be converted into 3.9dB of OSNR gain. Both were achieved by optimizing NOLM input power and splitting ratio. This allows for longer spans and thus reduces the over all amount of amplifiers or allows for an increased system reach.