Multi-channel gain and noise figure evaluation of Raman/EDFA hybrid amplifiers

We present detailed multi-channel experimental characterization of different configurations of single pump hybrid Raman-erbium doped fiber (EDF) amplifiers. The incorporation of an EDF section in a dispersion compensating Raman amplifier is demonstrated to provide superior performance than Raman only system. It is shown that the multi-channel gain spectrum is quite different form the single-channel case. We have also measured the polarization dependent gain (PDG) of the hybrid amplifier configurations and results show that different configurations of hybrid amplifiers have different PDG effects on long-haul optically amplified link.