All-optical fiber soliton processing using dispersion oscillating fiber

Optical soliton processing techniques are expected to play a major role in future ultrafast optical transmision lines, optical computing, and the synthesis of new powerful soliton lasers. We propose the use of a dispersion oscillation fiber as a new versalite tool to control soliton eigenvalues. Using a fiber with sine-wave variation of the core diameter along the longitudinal direction, we can change both the real and imaginary parts of soliton eigenvalues. Changing the real part of the eigenvalues results in a splitting of an optical breather into two distinct pulses propagating with the different group velocities. Changing the imaginary parts of the eigenvalues allows for the realization of a reverse process of merging two solitons into a high-intensity pulse. The generation of high-intensity pulses occurs through inelastic soliton collisions. The splitting of the optical breather and the merging of solitons can be obtained even under the strong effect of stimulated Raman scattering. We believe the tools and techniques based on the use of a dispersion oscillating fiber will grant unprecedented control over soliton eigenstates. (letter)