Analysis of optical pulse propagation with two-by-two (ABCD) matrices - art. no. 016611

We review and extend the analogies between Gaussian pulse propagation and G aussian beam diffraction. Ln addition to the well-known parallels between p ulse dispersion in optical fiber and cw beam diffraction in free space, we review temporal lenses as a way to describe nonlinearities in the propagati on equations, and then introduce further concepts that permit the descripti on of pulse evolution in more complicated systems. These include the tempor al equivalent of a spherical dielectric interface, which is used by way of example to derive design parameters used in a recent dispersion-managed sol iton transmission experiment. This formalism offers a quick, concise, and p owerful approach to analyzing a variety of linear and nonlinear pulse propa gation phenomena in optical fibers.