Abstract

We have recently shown that with the use of an advanced second order Raman pumping scheme it is possible to generate quasi-lossless conditions whereby an optical signal can propagate over long distances with very little variation in the optical power level [1]. Here, for the first time, we experimentally demonstrate optical data transmission through such quasi-lossless fibre spans, which provide an entirely different nonlinear propagation regime to conventionally EDFA/Raman amplified systems. We demonstrate 42.6Gb/s transmission over 2500km of SMF-28 with an 82km span length, and investigate the optimisation of the system in terms of launch power and nonlinear tolerance.

© 2009 IEEE