Optical filter design for multiwavelength erbium-doped fiber ring lasers

A model for designing optical filters on multiwavelength erbium-doped fiber ring lasers is proposed. For the given amplifier parameters and output spectrum the model provides the required cavity transfer function, from which the maximum output coupling ratio and the optical filter spectral shape can be obtained. Standard propagation and rate equations of a homogeneous medium are employed for the erbium fiber analysis. The calculated cavity transfer function is tested by analyzing the obtained erbium-doped fiber ring laser employing a previously presented model. The effectiveness of the method is tested with a nine-line signal on the 1525-1565 nm range. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.