title: Zoned microstructure fiber for low-dispersion waveguiding and coupling to photonic crystals.
abstract: We describe a zoned microstructure fiber that exhibits low dispersion and virtually zero spherical aberration because of its optimized piecewise Gaussian index profile. We present results of a nine-zone design that has an average refractive index of 2.3, a refractive-index contrast of 0.1, a first zone radius of 1.67 microm, and a maximum core radius of 5 microm. It has an in-fiber focal length of 8.88 microm and can focus light to a spot size of radius 315 nm, facilitating efficient coupling between single-mode fiber and photonic crystals.
authors.affiliation: Fujitsu Laboratories of Europe, Columba House, Adastral Park, Ipswich IP5 3RE, UK. m.hisatomi@fle.fujitsu.com
authors.forename: Makiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hisatomi
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: Stuart D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Walker