Published online by Cambridge University Press: 18 July 2013
We theoretically and experimentally investigate the conditions of obtaining a narrowband flat-top Brillouin gain spectrum (BGS) based on single-frequency and multi-frequency phase modulations. Using the unequal-amplitude spectral lines, the flat-top BGS can be realized by controlling the intensity ratio and the frequency separation between them. In experiment, we obtain the flat-top gain spectra with the bandwidths of 40 MHz and 125 MHz, and with the top fluctuation of less than 0.21 dB. Based on this, we also achieve low distortion Brillouin amplification of a probe signal pulse and spectrum.