A pair of nonlinear Schrödinger equations, describing the propagation of waves in birefringent optical fibers, is studied by means of a Lie group technique. The symmetry algebra and the symmetry group associated with the equations are exploited to provide exact configurations. These are the soliton profile, which corresponds to a linear combination of the coordinate translations and the constant change of phase, a solution expressed in terms of the sinus elliptic function, a solution related to the Galilean boost, and other solutions which may be used as a guide for the creation of different experimental patterns. Among them, of special interest is a configuration involving the loss coefficient of the fiber, whose ‘‘mass density’’ is time independent and behaves as a screened Coulomb potential in the space variable.

• Received 11 January 1995

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.52.3159