Open AccessOrigins of modal loss of antiresonant hollow-core optical fibers in the ultraviolet
Author(s) -
Alexander Hartung,
Jens Kobelke,
Anka Schwuchow,
Katrin Wondraczek,
Jörg Bierlich,
Jürgen Popp,
Torsten Frosch,
Markus A. Schmidt
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.23.002557
Subject(s) - materials science , optics , core (optical fiber) , scattering , attenuation , surface roughness , ultraviolet , wavelength , fiber , surface finish , optical fiber , fabrication , optoelectronics , composite material , physics , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology
Recently, a novel antiresonant hollow core fiber was introduced having promising UV guiding properties. Accompanying simulations predicted ten times lower loss than observed experimentally. Increasing loss is observed in many antiresonant fibers with the origin being unknown. Here, two possible reasons for the enhanced loss are discussed: strand thickness variation and surface roughness scattering. Our analysis shows that the attenuation is sensitive to thickness variations of the strands surrounding the hollow-core which strongly increase loss at short wavelengths. The contribution of surface roughness stays below the dB/km level and can be neglected. Thus, preventing structural irregularities by improved fabrication approaches is essential for decreasing loss.