The polymer cladding fiber (PCF) consists of a core made of pure silica, surrounding this core is a cladding made from fluorinated special polymer. The same as POF and GOF, the refractive index of polymer cladding is lower than that of the core, which is essential for total internal reflection--the basic physical principle that enables light to be guided along the core of the fiber. There is an ETFE bufffed cladding to offer addtional protection. PCF is also named as HCS, HPCS, most widely used PCF has a core diameter 200um, cladding diameter 230um and 500um ETFE. PCF takes the both advantage from POF and GOF, it can transmite higher date for long distance than POF. PCF has a more robust design compare with GOF, this feature makes it suitable for harsh environment application. The typical application is industrial-telecom, Sensing, Lighting and medicine.
