Optical Solitons

Abstract

The properties and history of soliton pulse propagation in optical fibers are reviewed. Both fundamental mathematical aspects are discussed as well as applied engineering issues for e.g. the generation and use of solitons in fiber‐optic communication systems. We distinguish between conventional solitons, which have a constant dispersion along the transmission, and dispersion‐managed solitons for which the dispersion varies along the transmission line. Finally the most recent soliton field experiments are reviewed and discussed.