Abstract
This chapter provides a brief review of the latest development of polymer optical fiber (POFs) and its various applications. The most important parameter of an optical fiber for applications in communication is its attenuation. From the attenuation point of view, there are three types of POF that receive popular attention: polymethal-methacrylate (PMMA) fiber, deuterated PMMA fiber, and perfluorinated POF. POF is gaining increasing attention from both industrialists and researchers because it has unique characteristics not available in silica fiber. The chapter describes how polymer fibers are manufactured and their applications in short distance communication and illumination for signage. It is expected that polymer fiber will capture the markets in these two areas. The wide tuning range of polymer fiber grating is an advantage that silica fiber grating cannot match. Hence, many tunable optical devices will be constructed from polymer fiber grating. The segmented cladding polymer fiber is a new addition to the host of holey fibers, with the advantage of the absence of holes. More study is required to ascertain unique applications of this fiber. Polymer fiber amplifier opens up a new field of research, especially because dye-doped fiber can be easily fabricated. Different dyes will lead to fiber amplifiers operating at different signal wavelengths. Again, more study is needed to make these amplifiers useful in practical communication and sensing systems.
Published Version
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