Theoretical limits for the dispersion limited optical channel

Abstract

In this paper, we study the theoretical limits of optical communication channels affected by chromatic dispersion. By using as a metric the energy transfer ratio, we find the optimal transmitted pulse shape that allows minimizing the impact of dispersion, together with an interesting definition of the dispersive channel equivalent bandwidth. This paper, though mainly theoretical, tries to approach using a rigorous formalism a problem that is currently receiving large interest, i.e., the optimization of the transmitter for a dispersion-limited optical system. © 2005 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc. Boston.