BIREFRINGENT OPTICAL FIBRE

摘要

The invention relates to birefringent optical fibres, used as e.g. polarisation maintaining optical fibres. More specifically, the invention relates to distributing different material compositions in the fibre to increase the birefringence in the core of the fibre. By applying topology optimization methods based on finite element analysis, fibre designs with three different material phases are produced which significantly increase the birefringence in the fibre core. One of the phases have a lower Young's modulus than the others and may be void such as air holes. The invention proposes alterations to standard layouts such as the bow-tie or double bow-tie. The invention may also be applied on optical crystal fibres or photonic bandgap fibres.