Hollow-core microstructured 'revolver' fibre for the UV spectral range

We report the first silica-based hollow-core microstructured fibre for the UV spectral range, with a reflective cladding formed by a single ring of capillaries. The optical loss in the fibre at a wavelength of 250 nm is 3 dB m(-1). We demonstrate distinctions between the propagation of high-order modes and the fundamental mode of the hollow core of a 'revolver' fibre with noncontacting cladding capillaries and examine the effect of multimode excitation on the transmission bandwidth of the fibre. Based on experimental data and numerical simulation results, we formulate recommendations how to reduce the level of losses and extend transmission bands in a hollow-core revolver fibre in the UV spectral range.