EXPERIMENTAL-DETERMINATION OF SATURATION POWER IN ERBIUM-DOPED SILICAFIBERS

A technique to measure the saturation power of the I-4(13/2) --> I-4(1 5/2) transition in erbium-doped fibres is theoretically studied, The k nowledge of this parameter allows to determine the stimulated emission coefficient of this transition. This technique is based on the non-ab sorbed power measurement and the transmission losses of the splices ar e considered. It is experimentally applied when working with an optica l power whose wavelength is around 1.48 mu m. The quality of the obtai ned results is analysed taking into account mainly the influence of th e measurement errors and the influence of the amplified spontaneous em ission on the energy-state populations. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.