Numerical investigation of a family of solitary-wave solutions for the nonlinear Schrödinger equation perturbed by third-, and fourth-order dispersion

We study solitary wave solutions for the nonlinear Schrödinger equation perturbed by the effects of third-, and fourth-order dispersion, maintaining a wavenumber gap between the solitary waves and the propagation constant. We numerically construct members of a family of such solitary waves, including Kruglov and Harvey's exact solution, using the spectral renormalization method and establish empirical relations between the pulse parameters. A deeper insight into the properties of solitary waves and solitons can be obtained through collisions. Therefore we perform pulse propagation simulations demonstrating different collision regimes. Depending on the pulses initial phase difference, this can lead to the formation of short-lived two-pulse bound states. While these collisions are generally inelastic, singular phase values exist at which they are elastic. Finally, we detail the properties of Kruglov and Harvey's soliton solution under loss, verifying earlier predictions of perturbation theory and suggesting a convergence to the soliton solution of the standard nonlinear Schrödinger equation in the limit of large propagation distances.