Solid-core bandgap fibers

Photonic bandgap fibers have already proved their huge potential for guiding light in air over kilometric lengths. Nowadays, solid-core bandgap fibers draw considerable attention due to their unusual properties. For instance, the bandgap effect may lead to very large mode area operation, management of the chromatic dispersion curve, spectral filtering or bend loss reduction, all features that could enhance fiber laser performances. Recent results about the design, fabrication and characterization of large mode area solid-core bandgap fibers are presented. Prospects of further development of bandgap fiber lasers are discussed.