- Singlemoded MOF - Non linear MOF - “GapeFruit” MOF
DESCRIPTION Microstructured Optical Fibers (MOFS) are standard in their outer appearance and size, but examination of the fiber cross section reveals a pattern of tiny microchannels (air holes) in the cladding, that run the length of the fiber. The size, spacing and configuration of channels can be modified to achieve fibers with unique performance. Additionally, the holes can be filled with polymers or fluids of different index of refraction, therefore changing the transmission characteristics of the fiber. Manipulating the properties of these fluids can enable tunable all-fiber devices. Light confinement can be achieved in two ways in MOFs. - TIR Guidance : guides light through Total Internal Reflection, (the same way that conventional step-index fibers guide light) which occurs when the index of refraction of the core is greater than that of the cladding. - Photonic Bandgap Guidance : this occurs when the index of refraction of the core is lower than that of the cladding . It is the mechanism by which photonic crystals guide light. The periodic crystal lattice formed by the channels causes coherant scattering to take place at the core/clad interface. Constructive interference allows certain windows of transmission to be guided in the fiber core. Photonic BandGap guidance can be achieved by filling the microchannels in a MOF with a liquid of higher index than that of the core. Additionally, by varying the temperature of the fluid, the location and width of the bandgaps can be tuned.
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