Stokes' Vector Evolution for the Vector Nonlinear Schroedinger Equation
- When?
- Friday 13 May 2011, 16:00 to 17:00
- Where?
- 24AA04
- Open to:
- Staff, Students
- Speaker:
- John Elgin (Imperial College, London)
Abstract: Abstract: The vector nonlinear Schroedinger equation (VNLS) models the propagation of an ultra-short light pulse along an optical fibre. The equation is integrable, affords multi-soliton soliton solutions, and also finite-gap solutions where the underlying algebraic curve is trigonal. The vector nature of the complex-valued dependent variable contains information about the polarisation state of the electromagnetic field.
In this talk I will show the polarisation state of the field can be represented by a unit vector (the Stokes' vector) and that the evolution equation for this is a perturbed form of the Heisenberg spin-equation.