RP Photonics logo
VL logo part of the
Virtual
Library

Encyclopedia of Laser Physics and Technology

Photonic Bandgap Fibers

previous  |  next  |  feedback

Definition: a special type of photonic crystal fibers, relying on photonic bandgaps

Photonic bandgap fibers constitute a special type of photonic crystal fibers. In contrast to the situation in an ordinary optical fiber, the guiding mechanism in a photonic bandgap fiber is not based on an increased refractive index of the fiber core, but on a photonic bandgap. Essentially, the guidance is provided by a kind of two-dimensional Bragg mirror structure around the core, which does not allow light to escape in the radial direction – at least in one or a few a limited wavelength ranges.

The refractive index of the core itself can be lower than that of the cladding structure; it can even be hollow, so that its refractive index is that of air (close to 1). As most of the light is then propagating in air rather than in glass (air-guiding fibers), such kinds of hollow-core photonic bandgap fibers have a very weak nonlinearity, which makes them promising e.g. for the dispersive compression of ultrashort pulses with high peak power, or for the delivery of high-power laser beams. However, photonic bandgap fibers are generally more difficult to produce due to their tight fabrication tolerances, have a limited bandwidth for low-loss transmission, and often exhibit relatively high propagation losses.

Bibliography

[1]R. F. Cregan et al., “Single-mode photonic band gap guidance of light in air”, Science 285, 1537 (1999) (first hollow-core PCF)
[2]K. Saitoh and M. Koshiba, “Photonic bandgap fibers with high birefringence”, IEEE Photon. Technol. Lett. 14, 1291-1293 (2002)
[3]P. J. Roberts et al., “Ultimate low loss of hollow-core photonic crystal fibres”, Opt. Express 13 (1), 236 (2005)
[4]G. Ren et al., “Low-loss all-solid photonic bandgap fiber”, Opt. Lett. 32 (9), 1023 (2007)
[5]S. Février et al., “High-power photonic-bandgap fiber laser”, Opt. Lett. 33 (9), 989 (2008)

See also: photonic crystal fibers, fibers

Category: fibers and other waveguides

arrow
Home New articles Spotlight Feedback Advertising
Categories Search Quiz Links Page hits
P

This encyclopedia is provided by
RP Photonics Consulting GmbH.

Utilize the expertise of the author, Dr. Rüdiger Paschotta, also in the form of technical consulting services!

Field Guide to Lasers

This new book by Dr. Paschotta explains principles and types of lasers.

RP Q-switch

A powerful software tool for designing
Q-switched lasers. See the details.

RP Fiber Power

This software helps to design and analyze fiber amplifiers and lasers.

TRUMPF logo

TRUMPF-Laser

a leading supplier of industrial diode pumped solid state lasers,
CO2 lasers, and laser systems for material processing.

Onefive logo

Onefive

Low-noise
femtosecond,
picosecond,
and tunable single-frequency lasers for OEM and R&D applications.

A.L.S. logo

A.L.S. GmbH

Picosecond laser diodes
<30 ps, 375 – 1600 nm, >1 Wp, single shot – 120 MHz

Your Advertisement at This Place

will be seen by many thousands of visitors per month. These banners receive far over 100'000 page hits per month. Check the details.