A modified split-step Fourier method for optical pulse propagation with polarization mode dispersion

A modified split-step Fourier method (SSFM) is presented to solve the coupled nonlinear Schr?dinger equation (CNLS) that can be used to model high-speed pulse propagation in optical fibres with polarization mode dispersion (PMD). We compare our approach with the SSFM and demonstrate that our approach is much faster with no loss of accuracy. We discuss the pulse distortion and system Q-factor of non-return-to-zero (NRZ), return-to-zero (RZ) and pre-chirped RZ (CRZ) formats in the presence of high PMD through this approach. The simulation results show that CRZ pulses are the most tolerant to high PMD values and the extinct ratio has a great impact on the transmission performance.