Broadband erbium source for fiber optic sensor applications

Abstract

An Erbium amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) source is described and test results are presented. The ASE output power, spectrum, coherence, relative intensity noise (RIN), and polarization were measured for three different Erbium doped fibers of various lengths. Output powers up to 15 mW were achieved with 70 mW of 980 nm pump power. Measurement of the ASE coherence resulted in 0.5 mm at the -30 dB level while the RIN was measured to be < -125 dB/rt- Hz. The coherence and noise characteristics of this source match specifications for a low noise fiber optic gyroscope and since the source design is simple, a low cost Erbium ASE source can be built.