Low-loss photonic crystal fiber fabricated by a slurry casting method

We present a novel technique for fabricating photonic crystal fiber (PCF) that employs a slurry casting method to produce a silica PCF preform. By combining this approach with an OH reduction process, a low-loss PCF (1.1 dB/km at 1.55 mu m and 3.1 dB/km at 1.38 mu m) was successfully fabricated. Furthermore, by employing air-hole pressure control in the drawing process, a minimum loss of 0.86 dB/km was obtained. This method provides highly flexible air-hole structures and a low fabrication cost. (C) 2013 Optical Society of America