Photonic crystal fibres and the company Crystal Fibre A/S
Anders Bjarklev
Research Center COM,
Technical University of Denmark, Building 345v,
DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark
ABSTRACT:
In 1987, it was suggested that the electronic bandgaps in semiconductors
could have an optical analogy - the so-called photonic bandgaps (PBGs),
which could be found in periodic dielectric structures. This suggestion
initiated research activities, which over the past few years have lead
to a new class of optical fibers, in which the cladding structure
consist of a periodic system of air holes in a matrix of dielectric
material - typically silica. These fibers have been given several names
ranging from holey fibers, microstructured fibers, photonic crystal
fibers, to photonic bandgap fibers. These fibers have today reached a
level of maturity where they may be used as building blocks for a
variety of new applications. Hence, from focusing on the basic photonic
crystal fiber itself and its special way of guiding light, today's
research is turning towards applications of the fibers. Some of the new
applications that are receiving a significant amount of attention are
based on nonlinear effects - super continuum generation and applications
of such being highly studied examples. In this presentation, we will
firstly discuss the basic properties of photonic crystal fibers and
highlight their unique features. Secondly, we will point towards the
future of this technology and address a number of potential applications
of the fibers.