A dense array of small coupled waveguides in fiber technology: trefoil channels of microstructured optical fibers.

We calculate the limit to which the density of two-dimensional arrays of diffraction limited fiber waveguides can be reduced while maintaining weakly-coupled characteristics. We demonstrate that this density can be experimentally reached in an array of trefoil channels formed by the air holes of a microstructured optical fiber specially designed to meet limiting size and density specifications at lambda=1.55 microm.