Basic Research for Solar-Pumping Fiber Amplifiers

Abstract

Basic research was conducted to establish a visible light-pumping fiber amplifier using solar light for optical telecommunication. First, absorption properties of erbium-doped fiber (EDF) in the visible light wavelength region were investigated. Results show that the absorption coefficient α is large for 521 nm wavelength. Moreover, the emitted light property and the optical signal amplifier property were investigated for a laser diode (LD) to emit in the visible light region. An optical signal amplification gain of 3.87 dB was confirmed. Furthermore, emitted light properties, EDF active lengths, and erbium concentration properties were assessed using a solar lighting system.

By carrying out the present study, it will be possible to help considerably to construct no power supply optical fiber communication systems operable solely using only solar light to develop the optical communication infrastructure for the incomplete area with electric power and information infrastructure or for blackouts caused by disasters.