title: Minimizing differential modal gain in cladding-pumped EDFAs supporting four and six mode groups.
abstract: We employ a Genetic Algorithm for the purpose of minimization of the maximum differential modal gain (DMG) over all the supported signal modes (at the same wavelength) of cladding-pumped four-mode and six-mode-group EDFAs. The optimal EDFA designs found through the algorithm provide less than 1 dB DMG across the C-band (1530-1565 nm) whilst achieving more than 20 dB gain per mode. We then analyze the sensitivity of the DMG to small variations from the optimal value of the erbium doping concentration and the structural parameters, and estimate the fabrication tolerance for reliable amplifier performance.
authors.forename: Qiongyue
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Ee-Leong
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Francesco Poletti Yongmin
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baskiotis
authors.forename: Shaif-Ul
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Alam
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Richardson