title: Capacity limits of information transport in fiber-optic networks.
abstract: The instantaneous optical Kerr effect in optical fibers is a nonlinear phenomenon that can impose limits on the ability of fiber-optic communication systems to transport information. We present here a conservative estimate of the "fiber channel" capacity in an optically routed network. We show that the fiber capacity per unit bandwidth for a given distance significantly exceeds current record experimental demonstrations.
authors.affiliation: Bell Labs, Alcatel-Lucent, 791 Holmdel-Keyport Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733, USA. rjessiam@alcatel-lucent.com
authors.forename: René-Jean
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Essiambre
authors.forename: Gerard J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Foschini
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Winzer