Nonlinear integrated response of optical wide area networks (OWANs)

Abstract

In the present paper, an integrated study of the nonlinear response of optical wide area networks has been carried out. The linear refractive index, the spectral losses, and the nonlinear refractive index coefficient of the germania doped silica [SiO/sub 2/(1-x)+GeO/sub 2/(x)] are considered. Also, the gain of the employed erbium-doped fiber amplifier is both thermally and spectrally dependent variable. Two propagation techniques are employed to investigate the transmitted bit rate: namely soliton and maximum time division techniques. High-order mode fibers are employed to achieve chromatic dispersion management where high bit rates are assured. The investigation of the nonlinear response is based on a very important criteria: namely the product of the bit rate and the repeater spacing. Such product is linearity and is positively correlated with a newly integrated figure of merit.