Shaping, propagation and characterization of ultrafast pulses in optical fibers

Abstract

The characterization of medium- to low-energy shaped pulses at 1.55 μm through frequency-resolved optical gating (FROG) is illustrated. This capability enables the study of ultrafast pulse propagation through optical fibers. The phase dynamics detected furnishes insight on pulse evolution, specifically on soliton formation – a subject of great importance for telecommunication applications. The combination of shaping and propagation of ultrafast pulses in fibers is examined theoretically using an adaptive pulse-shaping model, based on genetic algorithms, that furnishes optimized pulse shapes for fiber propagation.