Disordered optical fibers show novel waveguiding properties that can be used for various device applications, such as beam-multiplexed optical communications and endoscopic image transport. The strong transverse scattering from the transversely disordered optical fibers results in transversely confined beams that can freely propagate in the longitudinal direction, similar to conventional optica...

The paper defines the field of special optical fibers. Classification of tailored optical fibers was introduced. The characteristics of main families of such fibers were presented. There were discussed the following fibers: isotropic made of soft glass, of complex refraction – including ring-index, polarization maintaining and polarizing, elliptical, holey with macro holes and porous, nonlinear...

This study characterizes the acoustical behavior of natural fiber composites. Regenerated cellulose fibers (Lyocell), hemp fibers, and flax fibers were embedded in an epoxy-matrix. These unidirectional composites were tested for their logarithmic damping decrement, the resonance frequency, the ultrasound velocity, the dynamic and static modulus of elasticity, and bending strength and density. G...

Dual-coated optical fibers provide easier stripping and less sensitivity to micro-bending. Despite a record of success in the field, dual-coated fibers can still pose a challenge within the manufacturing environment since they are susceptible to developing physical anomalies during processing and fiber-handling. Although these anomalies are believed to be benign, there are very few published re...

A critical challenge in the fabrication of chalcogenide-glass infrared optical fibers is the need for first producing large volumes of highpurity glass – a formidable task, particularly in the case of multicomponent glasses. We describe here a procedure based on multimaterial coextrusion of a hybrid glass-polymer preform from which extended lengths of robust infrared fibers are readily drawn. O...