The dynamics that result from the combined effects of spatial diffraction, nonlinearity, and a parabolic graded index for wave propagation in optical fibers are presented. An approximate analytical solution of the nonlinear Schrodinger equation in a graded-index fiber is obtained by using a variational approach. Particular emphasis is put on the variation of both the pulse width and the longitudinal phase delay with the distance of propagation along the fiber.
© 1992 Optical Society of America
Original Manuscript: July 10, 1991
Published: January 1, 1992
M. Karlsson, D. Anderson, and M. Desaix, "Dynamics of self-focusing and self-phase modulation in a parabolic index optical fiber," Opt. Lett. 17, 22-24 (1992)