Abstract: A method of coupling a spliceable optical fiber includes (A) providing the spliceable optical fiber, the spliceable optical fiber including (a) a core region; and (b) a microstructured cladding region. The cladding region surrounds the core region and includes (b1) an inner cladding region having a refractive index formed by inner cladding features arranged in an inner cladding background material with a refractive index n1, the inner cladding features including thermally collapsible holes or voids, and (b2) an outer cladding region with an outer cladding background material with a refractive index n2, the spliceable optical fiber having at least one end. (B) Collapsing the thermally collapsible holes or voids by heating the at least one end of the spliceable optical fiber thereby increasing the refractive index of the inner cladding providing an expanded core. And, (C) coupling the collapsed spliceable optical fiber end to the optical component.

Abstract: A method of coupling a spliceable optical fiber includes (A) providing the spliceable optical fiber, the spliceable optical fiber including (a) a core region; and (b) a microstructured cladding region. The cladding region surrounds the core region and includes (b1) an inner cladding region having a refractive index formed by inner cladding features arranged in an inner cladding background material with a refractive index n1, the inner cladding features including thermally collapsible holes or voids, and (b2) an outer cladding region with an outer cladding background material with a refractive index n2, the spliceable optical fiber having at least one end. (B) Collapsing the thermally collapsible holes or voids by heating the at least one end of the spliceable optical fiber thereby increasing the refractive index of the inner cladding providing an expanded core. And, (C) coupling the collapsed spliceable optical fiber end to the optical component.

Abstract: The invention relates to optical fibers for use in optical amplification of light, such as in optical fiber amplifiers and lasers and for use in delivery of high power light, in particular to a scheme for reducing amplified spontaneous emission at undesired wavelengths. The invention further relates to articles, methods and use. An object of the invention is achieved by a micro-structured optical fiber, which is adapted to guide light by the photonic bandgap effect and to have one or more pass bands and at least one stop-band over a wavelength range from ?stop1 to ?stop2. In an aspect of the invention, the at least one stop-band provides filter functions that suppress nonlinear effects.

Abstract: The invention relates to optical fibers for use in optical amplification of light, such as in optical fiber amplifiers and lasers and for use in delivery of high power light, in particular to a scheme for reducing amplified spontaneous emission at undesired wavelengths. The invention further relates to articles, methods and use. An object of the invention is achieved by a micro-structured optical fiber, which is adapted to guide light by the photonic bandgap effect and to have one or more pass bands and at least one stop-band over a wavelength range from ?stop1 to ?stop2. In an aspect of the invention, the at least one stop-band provides filter functions that suppress nonlinear effects.