Interaction of nonlinearity and polarization mode dispersion

Abstract

The derivation of the coupled nonlinear Schrodinger equation and the Manakov-PMD equation is reviewed. It is shown that the usual scalar nonlinear Schrodinger equation can be derived from the Manakov-PMD equation when polarization mode dispersion is negligible and the signal is initially in a single polarization state as a function of time. Applications of the Manakov-PMD equation to studies of the interaction of the Kerr nonlinearity with polarization mode dispersion are then discussed.