These hollow-core fibers are photonic bandgap models that guide light inside a hollow core with the use of a micro-structured cladding region. This guiding mechanism is essentially different from the traditional principle for internal reflection guiding. The new technology is superior, as it provides the basis for delivering high power without material damage or non-linear effects.
Features include pure silica material, an open fiber end without Fresnel reflections, and particles and gases can be used to fill the core. The dispersion values are extreme for dispersion compensation and pulse compression. For non-linear effects, there is a high threshold of power.
These fibers are almost entirely insensitive to bending. It is possible to bend them down to less than 1cm bend diameter without any optical transmission changes. Ideal applications include fiber optical gyroscopes, pulse compression, pocket cells, gas lasers, etc.