Photonic crystals as optical fibres – physics and applications

• Published in: Optical materials Vol. 11; no. 2; pp. 143 - 151
• Main Authors: Knight, J.C., Birks, T.A., Cregan, R.F., Russell, P.St.J., de Sandro, J.-P.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 1999; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Circuit properties; Electric, optical and optoelectronic circuits; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; Fiber waveguides, couplers, and arrays; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Integrated optics. Optical fibers and wave guides; Optical and optoelectronic circuits; Optical fibre waveguides; Optical materials; Optics; Photonic band gaps; Photonic bandgap materials; Photonic crystals; Physics; Optical fibre waveguides; 42.81.Q; 42.70.Q; Photonic crystals; Photonic band gaps; Near field; Optical fibers; Silica fiber; Manufacturing processes; Photonic band gap; Field distribution; Photonic crystal; Optical properties; Optical materials; Experimental study; Optical waveguides
• ISSN: 0925-3467; 1873-1252
• DOI: 10.1016/S0925-3467(98)00040-8

We describe the fabrication, characterisation and possible applications of a new type of optical material – a 2-dimensional photonic crystal made of silica and air. This macroporous silica, which is made using the technology of optical fibre fabrication, has properties which differ remarkably from those of conventional materials. We describe how such a material can be used to form waveguides with new and unusual properties, and present some results to illustrate this. Such photonic crystal waveguides could be significant in the design of new lasers and amplifiers.