Stability of embedded solitons in higher-order NLS equations

We consider two models for femtosecond pulse propagation through optical fibers. The first one involves a nonlinear Schrodinger (NLS) equation with a perturbing term arising due to third-order dispersion in the medium, whereas the second one incorporates two additional effects-self-steepening (SS) and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS)-that have their physical origin in molecular vibration. We make use of the theory of Espinosa-Ceron et al (2003 Phys. Scr. 67 314) to analytically demonstrate that the third-order NLS equation involving terms due to SS and SRS obeys the radiation inhibition condition and thereby supports exponentially localized solitons. On the other hand, the purely third-order NLS equation invalidates the condition for radiation inhibition and its traveling wave solution shows oscillatory behavior due to the emission of radiation. We verify both these conclusions by numerical simulation and conclude that the effects of SS and SRS could be judiciously manipulated for the unattenuated propagation of femtosecond pulses through fibers.