On Using Finite-Differences in Optical Pulse Propagation Modeling

In the paper we describe possible numerical models for modeling optical link components. Using the criteria of best accuracy and least computational time needed we have chosen finite-differences for optical fiber modeling. We also analyzed the use of various boundary conditions in numerical model and concluded that transparent boundary conditions (TBC) take less computational time than absorbing boundary conditions (ABC). Several simulation examples are given to illustrate the abilities of the simulation program FiberProp we developed.