Development of hybrid solid and hollow core photonic crystal fiber with soft glass deposition for infrared light manipulation

We experimentally demonstrate a novel method which allows deposition of solution-based soft-glass films (chalcogenide) inside the holes of commercially available solid and hollow core photonic crystal fiber (PCF). The transmission spectra are recorded using a supercontinuum source indicating ARROW type guidance in the solid core PCFs while initial results on deposition of soft glass films into the hollow core fiber is also reported. The proposed deposition method provides the ability to enhance significantly the nonlinearity in an silica PCF in a simple and cost-effective way. Multi-material deposition (in various layers) inside the holes of the PCF is experimentally feasible using the suggested approach.