Microstructured Fibre Applications for Next - Generation Access Networks

We describe application of zoned microstructured fibre (MSF) for next-generation access networking. In particular, we discuss Fresnel-zoned MSF which exhibits coupling to single-mode fibre/semiconductor-based devices (e.g. laser diodes, photonic crystals) tolerant to lateral misalignment. In addition, zoned MSF geometries allow control over the dispersion properties of the fibre, and we engineer waveguide dispersion to negate material dispersion, so increasing available bandwidth.