10 Gb/s, over 12200 km soliton data transmission with alternating-amplitude solitons

We have experimentally demonstrated 10 Gb/s soliton data transmission over 12200 km without inline soliton controls, for the first time. The use of alternating-amplitude solitons and optical time-division multiplexing/demultiplexing was effective both in reducing the soliton interactions and in expanding the jitter tolerance of the optical receiver. 122 Tb/s/spl middot/km is the highest rate-distance product yet reported in a soliton transmission experiment without inline soliton controls.>