Fabrication of microstructured polymer optical fiber preform

We report a new technology to fabricate microstructured polymer optical fiber (MPOF, also named polymer photonic crystal fiber, pPCF) preform rods by in-situ polymerization of monomer in a mould. Series of pPCF preform rods including elliptic core fiber preform rod, single-mode fiber preform rod and ring-type holes structured preform rods have been fabricated. The optimum conditions for monomer-based fabrication of pPCF preform rods were investigated. Then, drawing from primary preform rods to secondary preform rods was carried out in a home-made furnace. Finally, optical and thermal properties of these pPCF preform rods, such as transmittance, a glass transition temperature, and the distribution of molecular weight were investigated. Optically functional dye-doped pPCF preform rods, rhodamines-doped PMMA preform rods were successfully fabricated.