Mode-Field Radius of Photonic Crystal Fibers Expressed by the V-parameter

We numerically calculate the equivalent mode-field radius of the fundamental mode in a photonic crystal fiber (PCF) and show that this is a function of the V-parameter only and not the relative hole size. This dependency is similar to what is found for graded-index standard fibers and we furthermore show that the relation for the PCF can be excellently approximated with the same general mathematical expression. This is to our knowledge the first semi-analytical description of the mode-field radius of a PCF.Comment: Accepted for Opt. Let

Low-loss photonic crystal fibers for transmission systems and their dispersion properties

We report on a single-mode photonic crystal fiber with attenuation and effective area at 1550 nm of 0.48 dB/km and 130 square-micron, respectively. This is, to our knowledge, the lowest loss reported for a PCF not made from VAD prepared silica and at the same time the largest effective area for a low-loss (< 1 dB/km) PCF. We briefly discuss the future applications of PCFs for data transmission and show for the first time, both numerically and experimentally, how the group velocity dispersion is related to the mode field diameterComment: 5 pages including 3 figures + 1 table. Accepted for Opt. Expres

Modal cut-off and the V-parameter in photonic crystal fibers

We address the long-standing unresolved problem concerning the V-parameter in a photonic crystal fiber (PCF). Formulate the parameter appropriate for a core-defect in a periodic structure we argue that the multi-mode cut-off occurs at a wavelength lambda* which satisfies V_PCF(lambda*)=pi. Comparing to numerics and recent cut-off calculations we confirm this result.Comment: 3 pages including 2 figures. Accepted for Optics Letter

Photonic crystal fiber with a hybrid honeycomb cladding

We consider an air-silica honeycomb lattice and demonstrate a new approach to the formation of a core defect. Typically, a high or low-index core is formed by adding a high-index region or an additional air-hole (or other low-index material) to the lattice, but here we discuss how a core defect can be formed by manipulating the cladding region rather than the core region itself. Germanium-doping of the honeycomb lattice has recently been suggested for the formation of a photonic band-gap guiding silica-core and here we experimentally demonstrate how an index-guiding silica-core can be formed by fluorine-doping of the honeycomb lattice.Comment: 5 pages including 3 figures. Accepted for Optics Expres

Predicting macrobending loss for large-mode area photonic crystal fibers

We report on an easy-to-evaluate expression for the prediction of the bend-loss for a large mode area photonic crystal fiber (PCF) with a triangular air-hole lattice. The expression is based on a recently proposed formulation of the V-parameter for a PCF and contains no free parameters. The validity of the expression is verified experimentally for varying fiber parameters as well as bend radius. The typical deviation between the position of the measured and the predicted bend loss edge is within measurement uncertainty.Comment: Accepted for Optics Expres

Stokes and anti-Stokes photoluminescence towards five different In-x(Al0.17Ga0.83)(1-x)As/Al0.17Ga0.83As quantum wells

Stokes and anti-Stokes photoluminescence (AS-PL) has been investigated in a step-graded Inx(Al0.17Ga0.83)1–xAs/Al0.17Ga0.83As quantum-well (QW) heterostructure consisting of five QWs with different x values. Stokes PL spectra of this sample show a significant difference in PL intensity between the wells under indirect excitation conditions due to the existence of competitive resonant and nonresonant capture processes, while they exhibit a rather uniform PL intensity distribution under direct excitation. When the excitation wavelength is tuned to 810 nm for AS-PL detection, it is transparent to the five QWs and thus the photoabsorption can only occur in the GaAs (rear buffer and front cap) layers. It is found that the AS-PL spectra show a similar intensity distribution to the one observed under the indirect excitation. This result means that the AS-PL intensity distribution of the QWs is basically determined by the competitive capture of photoexcited carriers through the thick barriers, generated far from the five wells due to the nonlinear excitation processes in GaAs. ©2005 American Institute of Physic

Improved large-mode area endlessly single-mode photonic crystal fibers

We numerically study the possibilities for improved large-mode area endlessly single mode photonic crystal fibers for use in high-power delivery applications. By carefully choosing the optimal hole diameter we find that a triangular core formed by three missing neighboring air holes considerably improves the mode area and loss properties compared to the case with a core formed by one missing air hole. In a realized fiber we demonstrate an enhancement of the mode area by ~30 % without a corresponding increase in the attenuation.Comment: 3 pages including 3 eps-figures. Accepted for Optics Letter

Dynamics of unidirectional phonon-assisted transport of photoexcited carriers in step-graded In-x(Al0.17Ga0.83)(1-x)As/Al0.17Ga0.83As multiple quantum wells

The dynamics of perpendicular transport of photoexcited carriers assisted by phonon scattering is investigated in a novel step-graded Inx(Al0.17Ga0.83)1-xAs quantum-well heterostructure by measuring the temperature dependence of spectrally and temporally resolved photoluminescence (PL). When builtin potential gradients are present in the quantum-well heterostructure due to variations in the In mole fraction (x) in the well, carriers that are thermally released by the particular well move unidirectionally from shallower to deeper wells. That is, asymmetric unidirectional motion of photoexcited carriers is possible via phonon-assisted activation above the barrier band-edge state. We have directly measured this perpendicular motion of photoexcited carriers by monitoring the transient PL signals from the different wells, which are spectrally separated. A rate equation analysis rigorously explains the dynamical changes of the PL signal intensities from the quantum wells as a function of lattice temperature. Our study of PL dynamics proves the asymmetric perpendicular flow of photoexcited carriers and the capture by the deeper quantum wells, providing firm evidence for the dynamical carrier flow and capture processes in the novel heterostructure