Special Optical Fibres

The ATC has capability in the manipulation and use of the new 'photonic crystal' optical fibres which opens up a new range of application for optical fibres.

The ATC has built considerable expertise in the use of new 'photonic crystal' optical fibres. This new class of optical fibre is the most significant to emerge to emerge since the invention of fibre optics some 30 years ago. The fibres contain a microstructure comprising holes arranged in patterns around the core running the whole length of the fibre.

These hairs-width holes endow the optical fibres with special properties opening a range of possible new applications. The ATC has demonstrated their use as transmitters of high power laser light allowing light to be delivered by fibre to power-hungry, optical sensor avionic systems.

Photonic fibres can comfortably transmit laser power levels at levels tens times as high as ordinary fibres. Other features of these fibres include the ability to transmit single mode light across much wider wavelength ranges than ordinary fibres.