We consider the Maxwell equations for an electromagnetic field propagating in a solid with a three-dimensional superlattice of quantum dots linked by strong tunneling along one axis, where electrons with different spin projections are affected by the strong Coulomb repulsion at a single site. We obtain a phenomenological equation in the form of the classical 1+1-dimensional sine-Gordon equation. Electrons are considered within the framework of quantum formalism taking into account the changes in the dispersion law provided by the presence of Coulomb interactions. The phenomenological equation is solved numerically, and the influence of Coulomb repulsion and the degree of band population on the propagation of ultra-short optical pulses is analyzed.