Optical time-division multiplexed transmission at 8 Gbit/s using single laser and semiconductor optical power amplifier

We report transmission over 57 km of single-mode fibre in a two-channel, 8 Gbit/s optical time-division multiplexed system experiment using a transmitter with a single laser and a semiconductor optical power amplifier at the transmitter output. The amplifier operates with a net gain of 11.5 dB, which corresponds to 0.8 dB gain compression, and a fibre coupled output power of +6 dBm. The amplifier facet output power for which the gain is compressed by 3 dB is +13 dBm. The experimental system uses neither an isolator nor an optical filter.