Ultra-High-Capacity Optical Communications and Networking: Hollow Dielectric Fiber Devices - A Novel Platform for Integrated in-Fiber Optical Devices

该提案是应NSF 01-65“超高容量光通信和网络”的要求提交的。“我们最近推出了一种中空介质光纤，它利用一维光子晶体来引导光。预计这种光纤在空芯中具有无与伦比的电磁能量密度限制程度-允许宽带和低损耗传输，同时大幅降低非线性行为。在这个建议中，我们将集中精力创建基于这种中空波导的独特特性的新型光纤光学器件。我们将从理论上研究沿光纤轴向沿着诱导大的周期性调制的影响。预期这些在传播方向上打开大的光子带隙。特别是，我们将研究在光纤内产生高Q值腔的可能性。将说明其在高速全光开关和其他新型器件中的应用。在光纤中形成全光器件的能力具有许多技术优势，减少传输线的耦合损耗-不是最小的。它还为基于光纤生产工艺的光学器件的低成本制造提供了新的机会。我们的努力将是针对制定一个一般的理论方法，设计，开发和实验实现的轴向调制的空心介质全向波导的基础上的光纤光学器件。

This proposal was submitted in response to the solicitation NSF 01-65 on "Ultra-High Capacity Optical Communications and Networking." We have recently introduced a hollow dielectric optical fiber which utilizes a one-dimensional photonic crystal to guide light. This fiber is predicted to have an unrivaled degree of confinement of the electromagnetic energy density in the hollow core - allowing for broad-band and low loss transmission with substantially decreased non-linear behavior. In this proposal we will focus our efforts on creating novel in-fiber optical devices based on the unique characteristics of this hollow waveguide. We will theoretically examine the effects of inducing large periodic modulations along the axial direction of the fiber. These are expected to open large photonic band gaps in the direction of propagation. In particular we will study the possibility of creating high Q cavities within the fiber. Application to high speed all-optical switching and other novel devices will be illustrated. The ability to form all-optical devices in a fiber has many technical advantages, reduction of coupling losses to transmission line - not being the least. It also opens new opportunities to low cost fabrication of optical devices based on fiber production processes. Our efforts will be directed towards the formulation of a general theoretical approach, the design, development and the experimental realization of in-fiber optical devices based on the axially modulated hollow dielectric omnidirectional waveguide.