Abstract

Weakly coupled waveguide arrays represent a new artificial optical medium in the framework of discrete optics. Especially multi-core fiber waveguide arrays are promising model systems from the view point of ultra short pulse and laser techniques, because of their specific properties in linear and nonlinear optics [1, 2], However, the realization of such photonic structures is challenging due to high precision structural requirements. In particular, the uniform coherent (phase-matched) coupling between the waveguides requires a tolerance of the waveguide mode indices of 10⁻⁵, which is one order of magnitude beyond the state of the art of present-day technology for microstructured optical fibers.

© 2007 IEEE