A broad class of exact self-similar solutions to the nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) with distributed dispersion, nonlinearity, and gain or loss has been found describing both periodic and solitary waves. Appropriate solitary wave solutions applying to propagation in optical fibers and optical fiber amplifiers with these distributed parameters have also been studied in detail. These solutions exist for physically realistic dispersion and nonlinearity profiles. They correspond either to compressing or spreading solitary pulses which maintain a linear chirp or to chirped oscillatory solutions. The stability of these solutions has been confirmed by numerical simulations of the NLSE with perturbed initial conditions. These self-similar propagation regimes are expected to find practical application in both optical fiber amplifier systems and in fiber compressors.

• Received 2 May 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.71.056619