Hollow-core microstructured polymer optical fiber

We have fabricated microstructured polymer optical fibers that guide light in a hollow core using the photonic bandgap mechanism. The hollow core allows the use of polymer fibers to be extended to wavelength ranges where material absorption typically prohibits their use, with attenuation lower than the material loss observed in the infrared. The fabrication method is similar to other microstructured polymer optical fibers, which has favorable implications for the feasibility of manufacturing such bandgap fibers.     

Microstructured fibers with highly nonlinear materials

We investigated the effect of modification of silica with high concentrations of germanium up to 36 mol% as well as with highly polarizable dopants (e.g., barium and lanthanum) on optical behavior of microstructured fibers. The goal was to investigate the influence of doping on several properties like fiber attenuation, supercontinuum generation and birefringence in microstructured optical fibers (MOF).     

Sol-gel matrix modified microstructured optical fibre towards a fluoride sensitive optical probe

In this article, we report an optical fluoride probe based on microstructured polymer optical fibers (MPOFs) which is modified with morin-Al complex doped silica gel film. This probe is fabricated by sol-gel fluxion coating process. Sol solution doped with morin-Al is directly inhaled into array holes of MPOF and then forms morin-Al-gel matrix film in them. The sensing probe shows different fluorescence intensity to different fluoride ion concentrations in the aqueous solution. The range of response is 5-50 mmol/L, under the condition of pH 4.6.     

Supercontinuum and gas cell in a single microstructured fiber

We exploit both the high nonlinearity and the holey structure of microstructured fibers to combine a broad-band light source and a gas cell in a single microstructured fiber. A broadband supercontinuum is formed by launching nanosecond pulses from a compact, Q-switched Nd:YAG laser into a microstructured fiber filled with acetylene. This continuum is self-referenced to the acetylene lines in the 1500 nm region. The performance of different index-guiding narrow-core microstructured fibers as nonlinear and host media is evaluated. The concept offers many possibilities and can be applied to various gases absorbing at different wavelengths.     

Simulation of femtosecond pulse propagation in sub-micron diameter tapered fibers

Ultrashort pulse propagation and supercontinuum generation in tapered and microstructured optical fibers is usually simulated using the corrected nonlinear Schrödinger equation. One of the underlying approximations is the use of a wavelength-independent effective area or, equivalently, of a constant nonlinear coefficient . In very thin waveguide structures with strong light confinement, including silica wires and sub-micron tapered fibers and some microstructured fibers, the validity of such an approximation comes into question. In this paper we present an improved model in which all modal properties are fully taken into account as functions of the wavelength. We use comparative numerical simulation to identify certain regimes in which an improved model is needed for quantitatively correct results. PACS 02.70.Hm; 02.60.Cb; 42.65.Wi; 42.65.Re; 42.81.Pp     

Splicing of index-guiding microstructured optical fibers and single-mode fibers by controlled air-hole collapse: an analytical approach

Low-loss splicing of index-guiding microstructured optical fibers (MOFs) and conventional single-mode fibers (SMFs) can be achieved by enlarging the mode field diameter of MOFs, which leads to an optimum mode field match at the joint interface. We study analytically the low-loss fusion splicing between an MOF and an SMF by expanding the modal field of MOF, using the controlled air-hole collapse method. Our method is simple and offers analytical solution for light coupling between MOFs and SMFs. Comparisons with available experimental and simulation results have also been included.     

Second mode transition in microstructured optical fibers: determination of the critical geometrical parameter and study of the matrix refractive index and effects of cladding size

We carried out a numerical study of the second mode transition in finite-sized, microstructured optical fibers (MOFs) for several values of the matrix refractive index. We determined a unique critical geometrical parameter for the second mode cutoff that is valid for all the matrix refractive indices studied. Finite size effects and extrapolated results for infinite structures are described. Using scaling laws, we provide a generalized phase diagram for solid-core MOFs that is valid for all refractive indices, including those of the promising chalcogenide MOFs.     

Antiresonant guiding microstructured optical fibers for sensing applications

A novel refractometric sensor utilizing unique spectral properties of antiresonant-guiding microstructured optical fibers is proposed. The sensor operation is based on the wavelength shift of the transmission spectrum in response to the refractive index change of a sample loaded in the air-holes of the microstructured optical fiber. Refractive index changes on the order of 0.1% can be detected using less than a nanoliter of a sample.     

Investigation of modal properties of microstructured optical fibers with large depressed-index cores

We present what is, to the best of our knowledge, the first systematic study on how negative core-cladding index difference influences microstructured optical fiber's modal behavior. Single-mode lasing has been realized for short-length cladding-pumped phosphate glass microstructured fibers with large depressed-index Er(3+)-Yb(3+)-codoped cores.     

Single-mode microstructured optical fiber for the middle infrared

Microstructured crystalline optical fiber from silver halides is described. Both experimental and theoretical evidences are presented to establish that the fiber is effectively single mode at wavelength 10.6 micro m with numerical aperture NA=0.16 and optical losses of approximately 2 dB/m. Crystalline microstructured optical fibers offer key advantages over step-index optical fibers from silver halide crystals. The wide transmission range of wavelengths 2-20 micro m provides great potential for applications in spectroscopy and for the development of a range of new crystalline-based nonlinear optical fibers.     

Transverse light guides in microstructured optical fibers

A novel class of microstructured optical fiber coupler is introduced that operates by resonant, rather than proximity, energy transfer by means of transverse light guides built into a fiber cross section. Such a design permits significant spatial separation between interacting fibers, which, in turn, eliminates intercore cross talk owing to proximity coupling. A controllable energy transfer between the cores is then achieved by localized and highly directional transmission through a transverse light guide. The main advantage of this coupling scheme is its inherent scalability, as one can integrate additional fiber cores into the existing fiber cross section simply by placing the cores far enough from the existing optical circuitry to prevent proximity cross talk and then making the necessary intercore connections with transverse light wires, in direct analogy with on-chip electronics integration.     

基于高非线性微结构光纤的全光再生研究

提出了利用高非线性微结构光纤自相位调制效应进行全光再生的研究方案。分析了一组微结构光纤的色散和非线性特性。结果显示光纤的非线性系数与光纤结构有密切关系。通过减小有效模面积,可以提高光纤的非线性系数。采用一种高空气填充比的高非线性微结构光纤作为非线性介质,进行了基于自相位调制效应的全光再生研究。结果表明,由于微结构光纤的高非线性,采用较短的光纤长度就可以实现较好的再生效果。同时,输入微结构光纤的峰值功率、滤波器的参量选择对光再生的效果有重要的影响,它们必需满足一定要求,才能实现光再生。此外,对再生器的传输特性进行了研究。通过调整输入峰值功率和滤波器的参量,可以对不同宽度的光脉冲信号进行全光再生。     

Stress-induced birefringence in microstructured optical fibers

We present a numerical study of stress-induced birefringence in microstructured optical fibers (MOFs), using a finite-element method. MOFs under lateral forces and twists are considered separately. Compared with that in standard single-mode optical fibers, stress-induced linear birefringence in MOFs under a lateral force is reduced with increasing air-hole size, whereas twist-induced circular birefringence in MOFs is enhanced when the air-hole size is small.     

Method of integral equations in the theory of microstructured optical fibers

A method for designing microstructured optical fibers that is based on exact integral equations for the transverse components of the magnetic field of the mode is proposed. A solution to the vector waveguide problem for fibers with a finite number of circular capillaries in the round cavity of the cladding can be refined successively. Quartz fibers with hexagonal capillary rings are also studied.     

Wideband supercontinuum generation in tapered tellurite microstructured fibers

Enhanced soliton trapping of dispersive waves in a tapered tellurite microstructured fiber pumped by a 1556 nm femtosecond fiber laser is demonstrated. The short wavelength edge of supercontinuum light is extended from 960 to 600 nm after tapering the tellurite microstructured fiber, which is caused by the enhanced soliton trapping of dispersive waves owing to the changing group velocities in tapered fibers. Wide-band supercontinuum light source spanning from 600 to >2400 nm is generated in tapered tellurite micro-structured fibers. Our experimental and simulated results show that short length (several centimeters) zero-dispersion-wave length decreasing highly nonlinear fiber has a potential for generating wideband supercontinuum light source expanding from visible to mid-infrared region.     

Mode analysis of realistic optical waveguide structures and microstructured holey fibers by modal field evolution

In this article, we describe a useful technique for calculating modes of practical optical waveguides having two-dimensional arbitrary transverse refractive index profile. The method uses a finite difference platform for evaluating Helmholtz's equation in scalar and semivectorial forms through a field evolution algorithm. The method is straightforward, easy to handle and does not involve any complex analysis or matrix formulation. We tested the accuracy of our analysis approach by applying it on a large number of realistic waveguide problems having known results or results available in the literature. The formulation has facilitated us to study the modal properties, viz., field distribution, birefringence, dispersion and mode effective area, of a variety of practical two-dimensional structures namely, planar structure, coupler, semiconductor optical waveguides, optical fibers and arbitrary profile microstructured fibers which are uniquely important in photonics and guided-wave devices. The algorithm will therefore be very useful in designing and studying any arbitrary-structure waveguides, and to explore new geometry and properties.     

椭圆空气孔微结构光纤限制损耗的分析

以完美匹配层为边界条件,用复有限元法分析了椭圆空气孔三角形微结构光纤中基模的限制损耗.数值结果表明: 当孔间距,空气填充率和空气孔环数增大时,基模的限制损耗减小.从计算结果还可以得出:限制损耗与基模的偏振有关,随着孔间距,空气填充率和孔的椭圆率的增大,y偏振模与x偏振模的限制损耗比也增大.最后,提出了两种可实现光单偏振,单模传输的高非线性微结构光纤. 关键词： 微结构光纤 限制损耗 复有限元法 完美匹配层     

Symmetry and degeneracy in microstructured optical fibers

The symmetry of an optical waveguide determines its modal degeneracies. A fiber with rotational symmetry of order higher than 2 has modes that either are nondegenerate and support the complete fiber symmetry or are twofold degenerate pairs of lower symmetry. The latter case applies to the fundamental modes of perfect microstructured optical fibers, guaranteeing that such fibers are not birefringent. We explore two numerical methods and demonstrate their agreement with these symmetry constraints.     

四方阵列聚苯乙烯/聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯微结构光纤的制造与光学特性

用聚苯乙烯光纤填充625孔聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯微结构光纤预制棒中的空气孔制备了新型微结构光纤预制棒.拉伸后得到了四方阵列聚苯乙烯/聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯微结构聚合物光纤.该光纤的纵方向可以作为传递图像介质,而纵截面上折射率的周期性结构可以作为透射光栅使用,该光栅产生的moiré条纹可以用于测量小角度移动.     

高非线性微结构光纤中基于受激布里渊散射的慢光延迟

全光连续可调的慢光技术在全光网络和光信息处理等领域具有重要的应用前景. 利用自行设计并拉制的高非线性微结构光纤, 实验研究了基于受激布里渊散射的可调谐慢光延迟. 采用单抽运光和单级延迟方案, 当抽运光功率为162.6 mW时, 在长度为120 m的高非线性微结构光纤中获得了最大76 ns的延迟量, 相当于0.76个脉冲宽度. 通过调节抽运光功率的大小, 可以实现对慢光延迟量的可调谐.该慢光延迟方案具有延迟量大、 全光可调谐及与现有光通信系统兼容等优势. 关键词： 慢光 微结构光纤 受激布里渊散射