Competition mechanism of multiple four-wave mixing in highly nonlinear fiber: spatial instability and satellite characteristics

Abstract

Competition mechanism in multiple four-wave mixing (MFWM) processes is demonstrated theoretically. Provided considering only two waves injected into a highly nonlinear fiber (HNLF), there are three modes displaying comprehensive dynamic behaviors, such as fixed points, periodic motion, and chaotic motion. Especially, Mode C of MFWM is emphasized by analyzing its phase-space trajectory to demonstrate nonlinear wave-wave interactions. The study shows that, when the phase-space trajectory approaches or gets through a saddle point, a dramatic power depletion for the injected wave can be realized, with the representative point moving chaotically, but when phase-space trajectories are distributed around a center point, the power for the injected wave is retained almost invariable, with the representative point moving periodically. Finally, the evolvement of satellite wave over an optical fiber is investigated by comparing it with the interference pattern in Young’s double-slit experiment.