Solitons in Optical Fibers: An Experimental Account

This paper reviews the experimental study of solitons in optical fibers. In addition to describing the first experimental observation of fiber solitons, it relates invention of the soliton laser, discovery of the soliton self-frequency shift, the study of interaction forces between solitons, and the possible use of solitons in telecommunications. Throughout, it is shown how experiment has provided important correction to predictions of the nonlinear Schrodinger equation, and has stimulated new theoretical development.