Abstract

As well known, the nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) describes the propagation of intense picosecond optical pulses in single-mode fibers.¹ The NLSE is completely integrable by the inverse transform method,² and predicts the existence of stable bound states (bright solitons) in the anomalous dispersion regime of a fiber. When long propagation distances or femtosecond pulses are involved, additional terms associated with dissipation, third-order dispersion, self-steepening and Raman self-pumping must be included as Hamiltonian perturbations to the NLS equation.³ These perturbing terms may induce instability and decay of multisoliton pulses.⁴

© 1989 Optical Society of America