The present and future of nonlinear optics applications in photonic telecommunication networks

A state-of-the art of photonic telecommunication technology is reviewed and possible directions of future developments are outlined. In particular, the impact of nonlinear optical phenomena inherent to silica glass on the transmission performance of wavelength-division multiplexed optical signal through fibres is discussed. Also potential applications of nonlinear photonic devices for the purposes of optical signal processing that is foreseen in future all-optical networks are pointed out.