Abstract: An apparatus, e.g. an optical data transmission device, is configured to propagate a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) modulated optical communication signal. A plurality of optical amplifiers are configured to receive the modulated optical signal. An optical transmission line includes a sequence of at least five spans of optical fiber, with each adjacent pair of the spans being connected by one of the optical amplifiers. Between about 10% and about 75% of the optical amplifiers include a dispersion compensation module (DCM) and a remainder of the optical amplifiers do not include a DCM, and at least two of said optical amplifiers are optically coupled between a first and a second optical add-drop multiplexer.

Abstract: One method configures an all-optical network such that at least eighty percent of optical fiber spans of a portion of a first all-optical path of the network have substantially a first residual dispersion per span and at least eighty percent of optical fiber spans of a remainder of the first all-optical path have residual dispersions per span substantially differing from the first residual dispersion per span. The remainder of the first all-optical path includes an overlap between the first all-optical path and a second all-optical path of the network. The second all-optical path has a plurality of optical fiber spans and a substantially singly periodic dispersion map.

Abstract: One method configures an all-optical network such that at least eighty percent of optical fiber spans of a portion of a first all-optical path of the network have substantially a first residual dispersion per span and at least eighty percent of optical fiber spans of a remainder of the first all-optical path have residual dispersions per span substantially differing from the first residual dispersion per span. The remainder of the first all-optical path includes an overlap between the first all-optical path and a second all-optical path of the network. The second all-optical path has a plurality of optical fiber spans and a substantially singly periodic dispersion map.

Abstract: One method configures an all-optical network such that at least eighty percent of optical fiber spans of a portion of a first all-optical path of the network have substantially a first residual dispersion per span and at least eighty percent of optical fiber spans of a remainder of the first all-optical path have residual dispersions per span substantially differing from the first residual dispersion per span. The remainder of the first all-optical path includes an overlap between the first all-optical path and a second all-optical path of the network. The second all-optical path has a plurality of optical fiber spans and a substantially singly periodic dispersion map.

Abstract: A Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) (10) and a method for manufacturing the VCSEL (10). The VCSEL (10) includes a ridge structure (34), a first confinement layer (36) disposed adjacent to a portion of the ridge structure (34), and a second confinement layer (37) disposed on the first confinement layer (36) and disposed adjacent to a portion of the ridge structure (32). Carriers injected into the ridge structure (34) are confined by the first confinement layer (36).

Abstract: A Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) (10) and a method for manufacturing the VCSEL (10). The VCSEL (10) includes a ridge structure (34), a first confinement layer (36) disposed adjacent to a portion of the ridge structure (34), and a second confinement layer (37) disposed on the first confinement layer (36) and disposed adjacent to a portion of the ridge structure (32). Carriers injected into the ridge structure (34) are confined by the first confinement layer (36).

Abstract: A method for biasing a semiconductor laser (12) at the threshold level of the semiconductor laser (12). The method includes applying pilot tone signals having the same frequency to a bias current and a drive current of the semiconductor laser (12). A lateral detector (13) generates a photocurrent from spontaneous emissions of the semiconductor laser (12). Further, the method includes biasing the semiconductor laser (12) using a pilot tone signal of the photocurrent.