Advances in original fibres fabrication using innovative techniques

The development of original technologies to fabricate new kinds of fibres is presented here. First of all, the sol–gel process is developed to achieve fibres with original properties of waveguiding (new wavelength of emission of rare earths or transition metals, ultraviolet waveguiding): either a fibre composed of doped nanocrystals in a silica matrix or fibres composed of a one dimensional photonic bandgap structure. In this way, high refractive index dielectric oxides like ZrO₂, TiO₂ are studied. Secondly, the core suction technique associated with the stack and draw process is developed to fabricate fibres with various glasses and then, original profiles of refractive index to achieve multiwavelength lasers.