Computer Simulation of Photonic Crystal Fibers Using FDTD Method

Photonic crystal fibers are a new class of optical fibers. Their artificial crystal-like microstructure results in a number of unusual properties. This paper deals with the wave coupling performance of photonic crystal fiber (PCF) structure using the finite difference time-domain (FDTD) method. They can guide light not only through a well-known total internal reflection mechanism but using also photonic band gap effect. Light interacting with a band-gap (photonic) material would be totally reflected at a certain selected wavelength. The wavelength at which the stop-band would occur depends on the dimension and spacing of the crystals forming the material. The extension of the concept of photonic crystals from crystal lattices to fibers resulted in the design of glass hollow fibers that could trap light inside, making it a perfect device for wave-guiding, in which the reproduction of the crystal lattice would be given by a periodic array of microscopic air holes that run along the entire fiber length.