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A Silicon-tipped Fiber-optic Sensing Platform with High Resolution and Fast Response
Published on: January 7, 2019
Large mode area silicon microstructured fiber with robust dual mode guidance.
N Healy1, J R Sparks, M N Petrovich
1Optoelectronics Research Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.
Optics Express
|November 13, 2009
Summary
Researchers developed a novel silicon microstructured fiber using a silica template. This innovative fiber shows potential for integration into existing fiber optics due to its large mode areas and low optical losses.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optical Engineering
- Photonics
Background:
- Traditional optical fibers rely on index contrast for light guidance.
- Developing novel materials for fiber optics is crucial for advancing communication technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and fabricate a silicon microstructured fiber.
- To investigate its guiding properties and potential for integration.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a pure silica photonic bandgap guiding fiber as a 3D template.
- Employed materials deposition techniques to create the silicon fiber.
- Measured optical losses and mode areas.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated a silicon fiber with a micron-sized core.
- The fiber supports two guided modes due to low core-cladding index contrast.
- Exhibits guiding properties similar to traditional air-silica structures.
- Demonstrated large mode areas and low optical losses.
Conclusions:
- The silicon microstructured fiber shows promising guiding characteristics.
- Its properties make it suitable for integration with existing fiber infrastructures.
- This represents a significant advancement in silicon photonics.
