Optimization of the splice loss between photonic-bandgap fibers and conventional single-mode fibers

To understand the loss limitations of a splice between a hollow-core fiber and a conventional fiber, we use a numerical model to calculate the expected coupling loss between the NKT Photonics' HC-1550-02 fiber and a single-mode fiber (SMF) of arbitrary step-index profile. When the SMF parameters are optimized, the splice loss is predicted to be as low as approximately 0.6 dB. This minimum is believed to be largely due to mode-shape mismatch. These predictions are confirmed experimentally by optimizing the splice loss between this photonic-bandgap fiber and five SMFs with different mode-field diameters (MFDs) and V numbers. With the SMF-28 fiber, the measured loss is 1.3 dB, in excellent agreement with theory. Using a SMF with parameters close to the optimum values (MFD=7.2 microm and V=2.16), this loss was reduced to a new record value of 0.79 dB.