A Selective C and L-Band Amplified Spontaneous Emission Source Using a 1×2 Optical Switch

We report on a band selective amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) source of an erbium-doped fibre (EDF), which can operate in either the C- or L-band region. The band selective ASE source is realized using a pump conversion technique by a 1×2 optical switch, which makes the ASE source design convert between a backward and a forward pumped configuration alternately. A heavily doped erbium fibre and a 1480nm laser diode are adopted for this design synchronously to enhance the power of L-band ASE. A power of 16.2mW for C-band ASE and 11.8mW for L-band ASE are obtained with a total pump power of 100mW.