title: Hollow sapphire fibers for the delivery of CO(2) laser energy.
abstract: Hollow sapphire tubing has been used to deliver nearly single-mode CO(2) laser energy. The hollow single-crystal A1(2)O(3) fiber has an n < 1 cladding at 10.6 microm. Measured losses at 10.6 microm are as low as 0.49 dB/m, and the minimum bend radius of the 580, microm x 380 microm fiber is 14 cm. Bending losses are shown to vary as 1/R, and essentially only the HE(11) mode propagates in the bent guide.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Harrington
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Gregory