Abstract

The transient generation of ultrashort first-order solitons in optical fibers is described. Up to now, generation of such pulses was restricted to the wavelength region around 1.5-1.55 µm (color center laser).¹ Soliton formation was also reported at wavelengths of 1.319 (Nd:YAG laser)² and 1.5 µm (color center laser).³ However, these solitons were of high order and had a large background associated with them. Recently, the operation of a dye laser emitting subpicosecond pulses in the 1.25-1.35-µm wavelength region has been described.⁴ This laser covers the wavelength region of zero dispersion of standard telecommunication fibers, thus opening the possibility of soliton formation and propagation experiments in such fibers.

© 1987 Optical Society of America