Microstructured POF and Applications

Since mPOF were developed in 2001[van Eijkelenborg 2001] there has been considerable interest in identifying the applications for which they have a competitive advantage over other technologies. Some of the features that have been explored in this context are the ability to tailor the refractive index profile by changing the hole structure [van Eijkelenborg 2004]; the ability to make highly birefringent [Issa 2004] or high numerical aperture fibre [Issa 2004], and most recently to guide light in low index material through photonic bandgap guidance [Argyros 2005]. In this paper we explore how these applications have been developed, specifically to include fibres for high bandwidth, interconnect applications, and transmission within the absorption region of the polymer, as well as sensing. We report the first use of a bandgap fibre for liquid core guidance, and its use in detecting optical activity in a solution. Transmission Most mPOF activity to date has focussed on short distance, high bandwidth applications, which probably represent the main future applications for POF in general. In previou