Propagation of Nonlinear Optical Pulses in Fibers

Abstract

In this talk, we discuss a method for soliton propagation of optical pulses in dispersive media. A critical limitation in realizing the full-bandwidth capability of optical transmission systems is pulse distortion due to dispersion. To overcome this problem, nonlinear dependence of the refractive index on pulse intensity has been used. ^1–4 Here the dispersion effects result in the broadening of the pulse while the nonlinearity tends to sharpen it. It is the appropriate competition of these opposite effects which may lead to a stable solitary solution of the optical pulse. Note that the dispersion parameters of fibers are very small and thus to balance them by the nonlinearity an intensity of 10²–10³ W/cm² is needed for practical situations. This intensity is not strong enough to cause self-focusing and consequently self-phase modulation.

Research supported by the U.S. Air Force, Solid State Sciences Division, Rome Air Development Center AFSC under Contract No. F19628-77-C-0144.