title: Surface modes in air-core photonic band-gap fibers.
abstract: We present a detailed description of the role of surface modes in photonic band-gap fibers (PBGFs). A model is developed that connects the experimental observations of high losses in the middle of the transmission spectrum to the presence of surface modes supported at the core-cladding interface. Furthermore, a new PBGF design is proposed that avoids these surface modes and produces single-mode operation.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: West
authors.forename: Charlene
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Borrelli
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Allan
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koch