Nonlinear switching of optical pulses through stimulated Raman scattering: self-scattering of solitons in optical fibers

We propose a new method for nonlinear switching of optical solitons in a Sagnac interferometer. In contrast to the traditional switching of pulses, by means of a nonlinear phase shift due to the Kerr effect, we propose to use the nonlinear frequency shift of optical solitons as a mechanism for switching via stimulated Raman scattering. The switching energy can be substantially reduced as a result.