Transformation of eigenvalues of the Zakharov–Shabat problem under the effect of soliton collision

Background and Objectives: The Zakharov-Shabat spectral problem allows to find soliton solutions of the nonlinear Schrodinger equation. Solving the Zakharov-Shabat problem gives both a discrete set of eigenvalues $\lambda_j$ and a continuous one. Each discrete eigenvalue corresponds to an individual soliton with the real part Re($\lambda_j$) providing the soliton velocity and the imaginary part Im($\lambda_j$) determining the soliton amplitude. Solitons can be used in optical communication lines to compensate both non-linearity and dispersion. However, a direct use of solitons in return-to-zero signal encoding is inhibited. The interaction between solitions leads to the loss of transmitted data. The problem of soliton interaction can be solved using eigenvalues. The latter do not change when the solitons obey the nonlinear Schrodinger equation. Eigenvalue communication was realized recently using electronic signal processing. To increase the transmission speed the all-optical method for controlling eigenvalues should be developed. The presented research is useful to develop optical methods for the transformation of the eigenvalues. The purpose of the current paper is twofold. First, we intend to clarify the issue of whether the dispersion perturbation can not only split a bound soliton state but join solitons into a short oscillating period breather. The second goal of the paper is to describe the complicated dynamics and mutual interaction of complex eigenvalues of the Zakharov-Shabat spectral problem. Materials and Methods: Pulse propagation in single-mode optical fibers with a variable core diameter can be described using the nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) which coefficients depends on the evolution coordinate. The NLSE with the variable dispersion coefficient was considered. The dispersion coefficient was described using a hyperbolic tangent function. The NLSE and the Zakharov- Shabat spectral problem were solved using the split-step method and the layer-peeling method, respectively. Results: The results of numerical analysis of the modification of soliton pulses under the effect of variable dispersion coefficient are presented. The main attention is paid to the process of transformation of eigenvalues of the Zakharov-Shabat problem. Collision of two in-phase solitons, which are characterized by two complex eigenvalues is considered. When the coefficients of the nonlinear Schrodinger equation change, the collision of the solitons becomes inelastic. The inelastic collision is characterized by the change of the eigenvalues. It is shown that the variation of the coefficients of the NLSE allows to control both real and imaginary parts of the eigenvalues. Two scenarios for the change of the eigenvalues were identified. The first scenario is characterized by preserving the zero real part of the eigenvalues. The second one is characterized by the equality of their imaginary parts. The transformation of eigenvalues is most effective at the distance where the field spectrum possesses a two-lobe shape. Variation of the NLSE coefficient can introduce splitting or joining of colliding soliton pulses. Conclusion: The presented results show that the eigenvalues can be changed only with a small variation of the NLSE coefficients. On the one hand, a change in the eigenvalues 256 under the effect of inelastic soliton collision is an undesirable effect since the inelastic collision of solitons will lead to unaccounted modulation in soliton optical communication links. On the other hand, the dependence of the eigenvalues on the parameters of the colliding solitons allows to modulate the eigenvalues using all-fiber optical devices. Currently, the modulation of the eigenvalues is organized using electronic devices. Therefore, the transmission of information is limited to nanosecond pulses. For picosecond pulse communication, the development of all-optical modulation methods is required. The presented results will be useful in the development of methods for controlling optical solitons and soliton states of the Bose-Einstein condensate.