Time domain simulation in photonics : A comparison of nonlinear dispersive polarisation models

The paper investigates and compares a range of different models currently used for modelling nonlinear optical phenomena. The models are implemented in the numerical time domain Transmission Line Modelling (TLM) method and include a Kerr model and different formulations of the Duffing model. The models are used to simulate an all-optical limiter for a CW input and results compared with ones available in the literature. This enables a comparison to be made between the different models, from which it is concluded that the Duffing model has some advantages, when modelling materials and phenomena involving more than one frequency, arising from its ability to describe dispersive effects. These conclusions are further supported by the simulation results obtained for a pulse input.