title: Light transmission in multiple or single subwavelength trefoil channels of microstructured fibers.
abstract: We evaluate the trefoil channels present between the holes of microstructured fibers as a potential dense array of small waveguides. In channels with an inner radius of 330nm, calculations indicate possible propagation with a mode waist of ~350nm at lambda=670nm, near to the diffraction limit. Actual measurements have been performed on a 1-meter fiber section, with injection by a microlensed fiber and mapping of output by near-field scanning optical microscopy. They show that light can be output in individual channels or in several of them, depending on the injection. The observed waist is ~500nm, possibly due to experimental widening. Estimated propagation losses are <20dB/m. Since each channel occupies only 2microm2, this structure opens a way to dense parallel optical processing.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Moison
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Apetrei
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Levenson
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Melin
authors.forename: Ph
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pedeboseq
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fleureau
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lempereur
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gasca