Abstract

In optical communication systems the bandwidth is limited by the chromatic dispersion of the optical fiber. One method to extend this limit is to use dispersion-compensating fibers (DCFs).^1,2 The DCF systems are competitive in achieving high bit rates over short distances (L < 500 km).^3-5 DCFs can also be used to upgrade already installed standard single-mode fibers (SMFs), which suffer from high dispersion in the low-loss window at λ = 1.55 μm. We study the effects of SPM on the most basic link consisting of only one SMF and a DCF. Several numerical⁷ and experimental⁸ studies of the effects of SPM in such systems have been made. In the present work we present an analytical theory based on the variational approach,⁹ which has the advantage of giving a clear physical picture, including scaling with relevant parameters of the DCF scheme.

© 1996 Optical Society of America