Nonlinear effects in optical fiber: Advantages and disadvantages for high capacity all-optical communication application

This paper presents, in the form of a review, some of the results of our study addressing the advantages and disadvantages of the nonlinear effects in optical fibers for their use in high-speed, high capacity, all-optical telecommunication applications. Nonlinear effects that we cover include: self-phase modulation (SPM), cross-phase modulation (CPM), stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), and stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS). We have found that nonlinear effects can play useful and important roles in enhancing the fiber performances and creating new functions by way of fiber lasers, amplifiers, switches, logic devices, demultiplexers, signal format conversion and wavelength conversion devices. But we also have found that they can play degenerative roles limiting the performances of optical fiber communication. Trade-off between the advantages and the disadvantages of the nonlinear effects should be carefully examined in order to utilize their effects to the fullest extent.