Nonlinear dynamics of picosecond pulses in fiber-optic waveguides (review)

An analysis is made of the problems encountered in controlled nonlinear modification and stabilization of picosecond pulses of the fundamental and higher-order TE and TM modes traveling in fiber-optic waveguides. The sensitivity of such processes to initial amplitude-phase characteristics of signals, waveguide geometry, and propagation mode is the reason for the great diversity of the energy and spatial tuning scales. The advantages and shortcomings of soliton and nonsoliton mode signals in waveguides are considered. A review is given of near-threshold regimes for the stabilization of nonsoliton pulses and of some of their parameters over finite distances in gradedindex waveguides. Data-handling capabilities of nonlinear communication channels, governed by the transmission distance and channel geometry, are discussed.