Stable propagation of dark solitons in dispersion maps of either sign of path-average dispersion

Abstract

In fibres with alternating dispersion, dark solitons are shown to propagate stably as far as can be told from numerical simulation. This holds even in the case of a dispersion map with average anomalous dispersion, i.e. in the regime which for homogeneous fibres is the 'forbidden' regime for dark solitons. We have shown that the pulse shape is characteristically modified in the dispersion-managed fibre, and we see indications of a modified soliton power. These results demonstrate an appealing symmetry with earlier corresponding finding that bright solitons are modified in shape and power, and can extend their existence into their 'forbidden' regime.