Photonic crystal fibers

Abstract

Optical fibers with many air holes in the cladding are called "photonic crystal fibers". In the photonic crystal fibers, light is confined within the core region by air holes whose diameter is of the order of a wavelength of light. By using this particular structure, we can obtain various unique features which are not realized in conventional single-mode fibers, such as endless single-mode operation, controllability of dispersion and mode-field diameter, and extremely low bending loss. In this paper, we review these interesting features. Recent progress and applications of the photonic crystal fibers are also presented.