Microstructured Optical Fibers

Microstructure Optical Fibers (MOFs) are a new class of optical fibers having internal structure and light-guiding properties that are significantly different than conventional optical fibers. Lightera Laboratories (Lightera Labs) is a world-class Center of Excellence with core competency in the areas of optical fiber design, fabrication, and optical device physics. Microstructure Fibers have been an area of research at Lightera Labs since 1996. Over the years, Lightera has fabricated a wide range of microstructure fibers, explored their manufacture by different methods, and created novel devices that demonstrate the potential of this new technology that is still in its infancy. Learn more about this technology and Lightera’s capabilities in this area by downloading one of our white papers on the subject of microstructure optical fibers. Index of Microstructure Fiber-Related White Papers Recently Published by Lightera Scientists The addresses below take you directly to the individual white papers abstracted.

Solgel Derived Microstructured Fibers: Abstract: We discuss a sol-gel casting technique for fabricating microstructured optical fiber. Both the advantages and challenges associated with this fabrication method are outlined.

Low-Loss High-Strength Microstructured Fiber Fusion Splices Using GRIN Fiber Lenses Abstract: Gradient-index fiber lenses are used to fabricate high-strength (>100 kpsi) fusion splices between microstructured optical fibers. High coupling efficiencies are attainable (<0.6 dB loss), providing the mode field diameter is at least about 3.5 µm.

Electrically driven motion of micro-fluids in air-silica microstructure fiber: application to tunable filter/attenuator Abstract: We present a design for modulating light in an optical fiber, which achieves efficient modal field interaction between the fundamental mode of an air-silica microstructure optical fiber and tunable materials incorporated in the air-holes of the fiber.

Effect of Mode Cut-Off on Dispersion in Photonic Bandgap Fibers Abstract: The phase dispersion of the fundamental mode in two different photonic bandgap fibers is measured and compared. The difference in dispersion behavior is attributed to the location of the mode cut-off relative to the bandgap.

Tunable Microstructure Fiber Devices Abstract: An overview of microstructure fibers and devices is presented. By filling the fiber holes with liquids and manipulating the properties of the liquids, the transmission properties of the fiber can be changed to create tunable devices.

Electrically Drive Motion of Micro-Fluids in Air-Silica Microstructure Fiber: Application to Tunable Filter/Attenuator. Abstract: We present an approach for manipulating light in an optical fiber where efficient modal field interaction is achieved between modes propagating in an air-silica microstructure optical fiber and micro-fluids incorporated in the air-holes of the fiber. We demonstrate this approach in terms of applications to tunable devices.

Tunable Photonic Band Gap Fiber Abstract: A photonic band gap fiber has been generated by incorporating a high index fluid into a sol-gel derived microstructured fiber. The band gap positions and widths are tuned by adjusting the temperature.