Devices and methods for raman amplification and dispersion compensation

A method of amplifying and dispersion-compensating an input optical signal, the optical signal being propagated from a length of transmission fiber, the optical signal having an intensity and a positive chirp, the method yielding an output optical signal, the method comprising the steps of:

• propagating the optical signal and a pump wave through a dispersion compensating fiber having a dispersion more negative than about −50 ps/nm/km over a wavelength range of about 1555 nm to about 1615 nm, and a Raman Figure of Merit;
• and
• propagating the optical signal and a pump wave through a Raman gain fiber having a Raman Figure of Merit at least about equivalent than the Raman Figure of Merit of the dispersion compensating fiber, and a dispersion of more positive than about −40 ps/nm/km over a wavelength range of about 1555 nm to about 1615 nm.

A Raman amplification device having an input and an output, the device comprising:

• a Raman gain fiber having a profile selected to provide a dispersion of between about −25 ps/nm/km and about −15 ps/nm/km at a wavelength of 1450 nm and a dispersion slope of between about 0 ps/nm2/km and about 0.05 ps/nm2/km at a wavelength of 1450 nm;
• and
• a pump source operatively coupled to the Raman gain fiber.