Holey optical fiber with random pattern of holes and method for making same

An optical fiber, comprising:

• a) a core;
• b) a cladding region surrounding the core, wherein the cladding region includes a random and non-uniform array of holes containing a gas, wherein the random and non-uniform array of holes varies along a length of the optical fiber.

A pressure or force sensor, comprising:

• an optical fiber having a holey region with a random and non-uniform array of holes, wherein the holes are created by gas generated during fiber drawing, wherein the random and non-uniform array of holes varies along a length of the optical fiber;
• and
• an optical detector coupled to the optical fiber, operable for detecting pressure applied to the optical fiber.

An optical fiber, comprising:

• a core;
• and
• a cladding region surrounding the core, wherein the cladding region includes a plurality of holes containing a gas, said holes varying in location along the axis of said fiber.

An optical fiber, comprising:

• a core;
• and
• a cladding region surrounding the core, wherein the cladding region includes a plurality of holes containing a gas, wherein the gas consists substantially of N2.

An optical fiber, comprising:

• a core;
• and
• a cladding region surrounding the core, wherein the cladding region includes a plurality of holes containing a gas, wherein the gas consists substantially of CO2.

An optical fiber, comprising:

• a core;
• and
• a cladding region surrounding the core, wherein the cladding region includes a plurality of holes containing a gas, wherein the gas consists substantially of carbon monoxide.

An optical fiber, comprising:

• a core;
• and
• a cladding region surrounding the core, wherein the cladding region includes a plurality of holes containing a gas, wherein the gas consists substantially of nitrogen oxides.

An optical fiber, comprising:

• a core;
• and
• a cladding region surrounding the core, wherein the cladding region includes a plurality of holes containing a gas, wherein the gas includes at least one of N2, CO2, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides.

An optical fiber, comprising:

• a core;
• and
• a cladding region surrounding the core, wherein the cladding region includes a plurality of holes containing a gas, said holes varying in location along the axis of said fiber and said gas consists substantially of N2.

An optical fiber, comprising:

• a core;
• and
• a cladding region surrounding the core, wherein the cladding region includes a plurality of holes containing a gas, said holes varying in location along the axis of said fiber and said gas consists substantially of CO2.

An optical fiber, comprising:

• a core;
• and
• a cladding region surrounding the core, wherein the cladding region includes a plurality of holes containing a gas, said holes varying in location along the axis of said fiber and said gas consists substantially of carbon monoxide.

An optical fiber, comprising:

• a core;
• and
• a cladding region surrounding the core, wherein the cladding region includes a plurality of holes containing a gas, said holes varying in location along the axis of said fiber and said gas consists substantially of nitrogen oxides.

An optical fiber, comprising:

• a core;
• and
• a cladding region surrounding the core, wherein the cladding region includes a plurality of holes containing a gas, said holes varying in location along the axis of said fiber and said gas comprises at least one of N2, CO2, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides.

A preform for forming an optical fiber, the preform comprising:

• a tube of an optical material;
• and
• a powder comprising the optical material and a gas-generating material, the powder being enclosed in the tube.

A method for forming an optical fiber, the method comprising:

• (a) providing a preform;
• and
• (b) forming the optical fiber from the preform so as to form a holey region with a random and non-uniform array of holes, wherein the random and non-uniform array of holes varies along a length of the optical fiber.

An optical fiber, comprising:

• a core;
• and
• a cladding region surrounding the core, wherein the cladding region includes a plurality of holes containing a gas, said holes randomly located along an axis of the optical fiber, and wherein cross-sections taken at different points along the axis of the fiber have differing random hole patterns and differing random hole sizes.

An optical fiber, comprising:

• a core;
• and
• a cladding region surrounding the core, wherein the cladding region includes a plurality of holes containing a gas, wherein the gas consists substantially of an inert gas.

An optical fiber, comprising:

• a core;
• and
• a cladding region surrounding the core, wherein the cladding region includes a plurality of holes containing a gas, said holes varying in location along the axis of said fiber and said gas consists substantially of an inert gas.