Nonlinear propagation in multi-mode fibers in the strong coupling regime

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that propagation in degenerate modes of multi-mode optical fibers under random mode coupling is described by the generalized Manakov equation, enabling the first physical realization of multi-component solitons in such systems.

Contribution

It establishes a physical system modeled by the generalized Manakov equation, opening new avenues for studying nonlinear effects in multi-mode fiber transmission.

Findings

Propagation in degenerate modes satisfies the generalized Manakov equation.

First physical system described by this equation with multi-component solitons.

Provides a formalism for future nonlinear studies in multi-mode fibers.

Abstract

In spite of the massive interest that the generalized Manakov equation has attracted in the past two decades, no physical system which is quantitatively described by this equation has been reported so far. In this paper we show that propagation in a group of degenerate modes of a multi-mode optical fiber satisfies this equation in the presence of random mode coupling. Consequently, this is the first reported physical system that admits true multi-component soliton solutions. The reported formalism constitutes the starting point for future studies of nonlinear effects in multi-mode fiber transmission.