title: Casting method for producing low-loss chalcogenide microstructured optical fibers.
abstract: We report significant advances in the fabrication of low loss chalcogenide microstructured optical fiber (MOF). This new method, consisting in molding the glass in a silica cast made of capillaries and capillary guides, allows the development of various designs of fibers, such as suspended core, large core or small core MOFs. After removing the cast in a hydrofluoric acid bath, the preform is drawn and the design is controlled using a system applying differential pressure in the holes. Fiber losses, which are the lowest recorded so far for selenium based MOFs, are equal to the material losses, meaning that the process has no effect on the glass quality.
authors.affiliation: UMR CNRS 6226, Equipe Verres et Céramiques, Campus de Beaulieu, 35042 Rennes Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Quentin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Coulombier
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brilland
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Houizot
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chartier
authors.forename: Thanh Nam
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: N'guyen
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Smektala
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Renversez
authors.forename: Achille
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Monteville
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Méchin
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pain
authors.forename: Hervé
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Orain
authors.forename: Jean-Christophe
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Sangleboeuf
authors.forename: Johann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Trolès