Polarization-retaining single-mode optical waveguide

DETAILED DESCRIPTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved polarization stabilized or single polarization single-mode optical waveguide fiber.
Briefly, the present invention pertains to an optical fiber capable of operating single polarization, single-mode at a wavelength .
lambda.
.
The fiber includes a core member surrounded by a cladding member having an average refractive index lower than the average refractive index of the core member.
The fiber is characterized in that one or both of the core and cladding members comprises a plurality of transparent laminae.
Each of the laminae has a refractive index different from that of the adjacent laminae, and the thickness of each of the laminae is approximately equal to or less than the wavelength .
lambda.
.