Recent progress and novel applications of photonic crystal fibers

Photonic crystal fibers present a wavelength-scale periodic microstructure running along their length. Their core and two-dimensional photonic crystal might be based on varied geometries and materials, enabling light guidance due to different propagation mechanisms in an extremely large wavelength range, extending to the terahertz regions. As a result, these fibers have revolutionized the optical fiber technology by means of creating new degrees of freedom in the fiber design, fabrication and applicability. This report aims to provide a detailed statement on the recent progress and novel potential applications of photonic crystal fibers.