Vector Solitons and Their Internal Oscilliations in Birefringent Nonlinear Optical Fibers

In this article, the vector solitons in birefringent nonlinear optical fibers are studied first. Special attention is given to the single-hump vector solitons due to evidences that only they are stable. Questions such as the existence, uniqueness, and total number of these solitons are addressed. It is found that the total number of them is continuously infinite and their polarizations can be arbitrary. Next, the internal oscillations of these vector solitons are investigated by the linearization method. Discrete eigenmodes of the linearized equations are identified. Such modes cause to the vector solitons a kind of permanent internal oscillations, which visually appear to be a combination of translational and width oscillations in the A and B pulses. The numerically observed radiation shelf at the tails of interacting pulses is also explained. Finally, the asymptotic states of the perturbed vector solitons are studied within both the linear and nonlinear theory. It is found that the state of internal oscillations of a vector soliton is always unstable. It invariably emits energy radiation and eventually evolves into a single-hump vector soliton state.