Temporal interference of coherent laser pulses in optical fibers

We report on collective effects for the train of optical pulses when a repr oduction of the periodical pulse train occurs at some distance in dispersiv e medium. The reproduction of the initial temporal distribution can be trea ted as a temporal analog of the spatial Talbot effect. In experiment with a multimode fiber, the group of seven pulses lost its temporal shape convert ing in one broad pulse at the distance of 1200 m, while continuous train of pulse preserved its temporal structure. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.