Does the Cross-Talk Between Nonlinear Modes Limit the Performance of NFDM Systems?

TL;DR

This paper investigates how nonlinear mode cross-talk impacts the performance of NFDM systems, revealing that neglecting these interactions can lead to significant performance degradation in fiber-optic communications.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of nonlinear mode cross-talk effects in NFDM systems with practical fiber links, highlighting the importance of considering these interactions.

Findings

Nonlinear mode cross-talk is significant in NFDM systems.

Neglecting cross-talk leads to performance loss.

Cross-talk affects both continuous and discrete spectra.

Abstract

We show a non-negligible cross-talk between nonlinear modes in Nonlinear Frequency-Division Multiplexed system when data is modulated over the nonlinear Fourier spectrum, both the continuous spectrum and the discrete spectrum, and transmitted over a lumped amplified fiber link. We evaluate the performance loss if the cross-talks are neglected.