Nonlinear self-switching and multiple gap-soliton formation in a fiber Bragg grating

We report, for the first time to our knowledge, the experimental observation of quasi-cw nonlinear switching and multiple gap-soliton formation within the bandgap of a fiber Bragg grating. As many as five gap solitons with 100-500-ps durations were generated from a 2-ns pulse at a launched peak intensity of approximately 27 GW/cm(2). A corresponding increase in the grating transmission from 3% to 40% of the incident pulse energy was observed.