Birefringence of Irregular-Microstructure Fibre

Birefringence of a microstructure fibre with irregular structures is investigated using the finite element method. The birefringence of each sample is statistically analysed, and the relation between the birefringence and the irregular structure of the microstructure fibre is derived. The results indicate that the irregular structure of the symmetrical microstructure fibre result in the birefringence which is more strongly affected by disorder of air holes than the
nonuniformity. Moreover, lower birefringence can be obtained with smaller air holes and larger pitch in the fibre structure.