Effects of intermodal dispersion on short pulse propagation in multi-core fibers

The effects of intermodal dispersion on ultrashort optical pulse propagation through multi-core fibers are analyzed theoretically, which has been ignored in previous studies. A three-core fiber with collinear and triangular configuration and a four-core fiber are considered. We demonstrate with numerical examples that the intermodal dispersion can cause pulse breakup effect in multi-core fibers.