In this study, we discuss a structure that realizes a wideband polarization splitter comprising fiber 1 with a single core and fiber 2 with circular pits, which touch the top and bottom of a single core. The refractive index profile of the W type was adopted in the core of fiber 1 to realize the wideband. We compared the maximum bandwidth of BW-15 (bandwidth at an extinction ratio of -15dB) for the W type obtained in this study with those (our previous results) of BW-15 for the step and graded types with cores and pits at the same location; this comparison clarified that the maximum bandwidth of BW-15 for the W type is 5.22 and 4.96 times wider than those of step and graded types, respectively. Furthermore, the device length at the maximum bandwidth improved, becoming slightly shorter. The main results of the FPS in this study are all obtained by numerical analysis based on our proposed MM-DM (a method that combines the multipole method and the difference method for the inhomogeneous region). Our MM-DM is a quite reliable method for high accuracy analysis of the FPS composed of inhomogeneous circular regions.

In this paper, a fiber with two inhomogeneous sector holes around the core is proposed, and propagation characteristics of polarization maintaining region and single-polarization region are numerically analyzed by circular Fourier expansion method. In each case of the single-polarization region and the polarization maintaining region, a fiber is designed so as to satisfy the zero total dispersion at wavelength of 1.55 µm. Then, the single-polarization bandwidth for the single-polarization region and the modal birefringence for the polarization maintaining region are examined as the specific characteristics in each region. In addition, the power concentrating into the core region and distributions of Poynting vector is also discussed.

Recent progress on photonic crystal fibers is reviewed aiming at their application to high performance networks. A photonic crystal fiber has an array of air holes surrounding the silica core region. Light is confined to the core by the refractive index difference between the core and the array of air holes. Photonic crystal fibers have special characteristics compared with conventional single mode fibers. One is that the dispersion characteristics can be designed. Another characteristic, that strong birefringence can be established by sizing and/or arranging the air holes, is expected to realize a polarization maintaining fiber with high birefringence of the order of 110-3. This paper will describe the characteristics of dispersion controlled PCFs and polarization maintaining PCFs that include supercontinuum generation and absolute single polarization characteristics for various types of optical devices in high performance network systems.