Quantum theory of femtosecond solitons in optical fibres

Abstract

The authors use the time-dependent Hartree approximation to obtain the solution to the quantum higher-order non-linear Schrodinger equation. This equation describes femtosecond pulses propagating in non-linear optical fibres and can have soliton solutions. These solitons travel at velocities that differ from the picosecond solitons obtained from the standard quantum non-linear Schrodinger equation. The authors find that these femtosecond solitons cannot propagate in graded-index fibres; rather, they require quadrupole-clad fibres. This is the first investigation of quantum effects in femtosecond solitons to the authors' knowledge.