GUIDING-CENTER PULSE DYNAMICS IN NONRETURN-TO-ZERO (RETURN-TO-ZERO) COMMUNICATIONS-SYSTEMS WITH MEAN-ZERO DISPERSION

We analytically describe the effective evolution of a pulse (nonreturn -to-zero or return-to-zero) that propagates under the influence of a m ean-zero dispersion map, nonlinearity, loss, and periodic amplificatio n. On averaging, the governing equation is reduced to a set of coupled , nonlinear diffusion equations that describe the evolution of the pul se amplitude and phase and which capture the long-term interaction of dispersion and non-linearity. The averaged equations are shown to be i n good agreement with the full evolution until a predicted wave-breaki ng behavior is observed in the full equations. (C) 1997 Optical Societ y of America.