Nonlinear theory of polarization-mode dispersion for fiber solitons.

We consider the evolution of optical solitons inside a nonlinear dispersive fiber with random birefringence, causing polarization-mode dispersion. We convert the pair of coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations satisfied by the orthogonally polarized components into a Fokker-Planck equation using the collective-variable approach. We solve this equation and derive expressions for the probability density functions associated with the differential group delay and the pulse width in the limit of large propagation distances.