Influence of filler metal on birefringent optical properties of photonic crystal fiber with integrated electrodes

We present a comprehensive study of the influence of the filler metal on the birefringent optical properties of a photonic crystal fiber containing two integrated electrodes. Bismuth and indium were used to examine the effects of the electrode composition on the temperature sensitivity of this special microstructured fiber. We found that the fiber microstructure significantly influences the metal-induced sensitivity of the wavelength dependent birefringence, making the behavior of the birefringence change strongly with the electrode material. By modeling the anisotropic changes induced by the metal expansion in the refractive index within the fiber we examine the essential features of the fiber birefringence. (paper)