Control of modulation and soliton polarization instabilities in photonic crystal fibers with birefringence management

Photonic crystal fibers with composite linear birefringence, that is induced by both microstructure geometry and stress applying parts, permit the management of the wavelength dependence of both group and phase birefringence. In this work we investigate the novel nonlinear propagation phenomena that are enabled by birefringence management. Vector modulation instability is enhanced near the zero phase birefringence wavelength. Soliton polarization instability is controlled by Raman self-frequency shifting across the zero phase birefringence wavelength.