Balanced differential phase-shift keying detector performance: an analytical study.

A simple explanation of the observed approximately 3 dB advantage of differential phase-shift keying (DPSK) balanced detection over the intensity-modulated directly detected (IM-DD) type detection that can be easily used for system engineering purposes is presented. A Gaussian approximation is used to describe the tails of the detected noisy random signals leading to an analytical explanation of the observed approximately 3 dB advantage of DPSK balanced detection over the IM-DD type detection.

Unidirectional optical pulse propagation equation.

A unidirectional optical pulse propagation equation, derived directly from Maxwell's equations, provides a seamless transition between various nonlinear envelope equations in the literature and the full vector Maxwell's equations. The equation is illustrated in the context of supercontinuum generation in air and is compared to a recent scalar model of Brabec and Krausz. Fully vectorial aspects of the model are illustrated in the context of extreme focusing of a femtosecond pulse.

Femtosecond self-guided atmospheric light strings.

The onset and recurrence of multiple filamentary structures in the long-distance propagation of high power femtosecond laser pulses in air displays features analogous to strong turbulence events observed in many areas of physics. However, dissipation is not a key player in regularizing the underlying singular dynamical events. The collapse singularity of the two-dimensional (2D) nonlinear Schrodinger equation is identified as the robust nonlinear mode which both initiates and sustains the waveguide. Physical collapse regularization mechanisms include normal group velocity dispersion and plasma generation in the high intensity nonlinear focal regions. Plasma absorption is weak and the dominant process is the transient generation of a highly localized strongly defocusing lens which evacuates the light behind the leading intense light filament. Consequently the nonlinear waveguide formed is highly dynamic. (c) 2000 American Institute of Physics.

Power dependence of dynamic spatial replenishment of femtosecond pulses propagating in air.

Numerical simulations of nonlinear pulse propagation in air show an initial pulse formed, absorbed by plasma generation, and subsequently replenished by power from the trailing edge. Here we show that this scenario implies that the length scale for filament propagation is relatively insensitive to the peak input power beyond the threshold for filament generation.

Dynamic spatial replenishment of femtosecond pulses propagating in air.

We present numerical simulations of nonlinear pulse propagation in air whereby an initial pulse is formed, absorbed by plasma generation, and subsequently replenished by power from the trailing edge of the pulse. This process can occur more than once for high-power input pulses and produce the illusion of long-distance propagation of one self-guided pulse.