Optimum splicing of high-index core microstructured optical fibers and traditional single-mode fibers using improved field model

Abstract

Traditional fusion splicing technologies are not usable for the high-index core triangular lattice microstructured optical fibres (MOFs), as the characteristic air-holes pattern often collapse during splicing, significantly increasing splice losses due to distortion of the waveguiding structure. The low-loss splicing of MOF and the traditional single-mode fibre (SMF) can be achieved by enlarging the mode-field diameter (MFD) of MOF, facilitating to an optimum mode-field match at the splicing interface. Using our recently developed improved field model Sharma and Sharma (2016), we aim to investigate the modal characteristics of high-index core MOF as a mode-field expander, and low-loss splicing between an MOF and the standard step-index single-mode fiber by using controlled all air-hole collapse method. For comparison, experimental and the numerical simulation results have been included, as available in the literature. Relative errors are also given.