Polarization Maintaining Photonic Crystal Fiber

Abstract

Polarization maintaining fiber is optical fiber in which the polarization planes of lightwaves launched into the fiber are maintained during propagation. The degree of modal birefringence is one of the most important characteristics of polarization maintaining fiber. A high degree of modal birefringence, which guarantees good polarization maintaining properties, is easily obtained with photonic crystal fiber. This paper reviews polarization maintaining photonic crystal fiber in terms of modal birefringence.