ERBIUM DOPED FIBRE AMPLIFIERS OptoSci's ED-AMP kit enables students to investigate the basic principles of optical amplification, to characterise the key technical performance parameters of EDFAs, and to develop an appreciation of the engineering applications of optical amplifiers and their limitations within these applications. Extension to ED-AMP: LASE(MODULE): Principles of Lasers The experimental investigation addresses: Full gain characteristics: small and large signal gain Signal / gain saturation Pump saturation Saturated output power Transparency point, gain gradient and gain efficiency Amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) levels ASE-ASE & Signal-ASE beat noise Noise figure