Polymer fiber waveguides

A review is given of the optical, chemical, physical, and technological properties of polymer fiber waveguides. These waveguides are classified in accordance with their structure, properties of the materials used to make them, and fabrication methods. The main operating characteristics of the waveguides are given: the absorption and scattering in the fibers, escape of light at the bends, spectral and spatial-temporal characteristics, and radiation stability. The necessary conditions for the fabrication of low-attenuation polymer fiber waveguides are discussed.