Observation of solitons with MATHEMATICA

This paper shows that the formation and propagation of solitons can be easily observed and understood by using a simple numerical routine to solve a nonlinear Schrodinger equation that includes losses and third-order dispersion. A sequence of computer programs has been developed to assist the student to explore in depth several features of the soliton's formation, propagation, and collision. These numerical routines were implemented for the use with MATHEMATICA and the results give a very clear idea of this interesting and important practical phenomenon.