Polarization effects in 22-ring tapered hollow-core optical fibers for far-UV instrumentation

Abstract

Over the past several years, research and development surrounding hollow-core optical fibers has produced intriguing designs that feature low attenuation and precise polarization control. We present findings of polarization effects in symmetric, tapered, negative curvature fibers. The tested fibers feature twenty-two inner tubes that are much smaller than those in previous designs. Our tests involve transmitting light of varying wavelengths and linear polarization states through the fiber and imaging the fiber output with a microscopic camera. The camera that observes the transmitted light is positioned on a setup that can bend the fiber to observe any intensity or mode shape due to the bending, including any polarization dependence. These fibers may provide excellent polarization stability without the need for more complex designs, like those with nesting or asymmetric capillaries.