Limitations in fibre Raman amplifiers imposed by Rayleigh scattering of signals

Abstract

A simple method of Rayleigh scattering noise calculation in fibre Raman amplifiers is proposed. Using the method, it is disclosed that the optimal Raman pump power is lower when the Rayleigh scattering of both signal and amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) are considered than when the Rayleigh scattering of ASE only is considered.