Evaluation of Slow Light Periodic Signals Considering the Distortion in EDF

Based on the fundamental harmonic phase delay, a new definition of fundamental harmonic fractional delay (FHFD) is proposed to evaluate slow light with the consideration of signal distortion, to eliminate the dependence on the choice of the reference point. By solving the rate equation of erbium-doped fiber (EDF), it is shown that the slow light always accompanies the signal distortion when the periodic signal propagates in EDF, and FHFD depends on the signal distortion, as well as the average input power, the modulation depth and the length of EDF. The results of simulations and experiments indicate that the definition of FHFD is reasonable and effective to evaluate the slow light of periodic signals.