Long-Wave Infrared Photonic Band-Gap Fiber

Realizing a practical optical fiber for the 8-12 micron wavelength range has been a goal of the optical technology community for more than twenty years. Although many special fiber materials and structures have been attempted since the 1980s, none has fully met commercial requirements in terms of propagation loss, flexibility, longevity, stability, and high power capability. This project will produce a low loss, broadband infrared fiber for the key 8-12 micron band, using hollow core, photonic band gap engineering. The structure will be fabricated using ultrapure chalcogenide glass. Two key methods will enable the achievement of unprecedented performance: extremely precise mathematical modeling, and fine control over chalcogenide chemistry. Phase I will design, fabricate, and measure test samples of photonic crystal fiber. In Phase II, a complete fiber draw system will be demonstrated for consistent manufacture of high quality fiber. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardeeA low loss, flexible, manufacturable IR fiber would find immediate uses in many applications including thermal imaging, laser surgery, sensing, communications, laser materials processing, military IR countermeasures, and remote sensing of chemicals associated with weapons of mass destruction.