Research

The Division works on scientific applications of photonic crystal and microstructured fibres. Photonic crystal fibre was first proposed by Philip Russell in 1991, and his group reported the first example of a working PCF in 1996. Since that time many groups all over the world have become active in developing PCF and exploiting its many applications. In the division we are carrying out a wide range of experiments that make use of the remarkable properties of PCFs. These include ultrafast nonlinear dynamics in gas-filled hollow-core PCF, optomechanical effects in nano-scale glass structures, orbital angular momentum in twisted PCF and laser propulsion and manipulation of particles in hollow-core PCF.

For articles introducing PCF and its history see:
"Photonic Crystal Fibers: A Historical Account"
IEEE Lasers & Electro-Optics Society Newsletter, 21, 11-15 (2007)
"Photonic Crystal Fiber: Finding the Holey Grail"
Optics & Photonics News, 18, 26-31 (2007)
"Photonic Crystal Fibers"
Science 299, 358-362 (2003)