Eigenvalue management using dispersion oscillating fibers

It is known that eigenvalues of Zakharov-Shabat problem can be used to encode a signal in soliton communication lines. We propose to use dispersion oscillation fiber as a new versalite tool to control the eigenvalues. A fiber with sine-wave variation of the core diameter can be used to manage both real and imaginary parts of the eigenvalues. Change of real part of the eigenvalues results in a splitting of an optical breather into two distinct pulses propagating with the different group velocities. Change of imaginary parts of the eigenvalues allows to realize a reverse process of merge of two solitons into high-intensity pulse. The splitting of optical breather and merge of solitons can be obtained even under the strong effect of stimulated Raman scattering. We believe tools and techniques based on use of dispersion oscillating fiber will grant unprecedented control over soliton eigenstates.