The NextGenPCF project arises from the observation that progress and continuing technological development in many fields will depend on new ways of producing and guiding light, and mastering its interaction with the environment. Actors in health care require lasers at new wavelengths or broadband sources for diagnosis. Telecom players look for more flexible amplifiers, and for easy-to-install, low-cost fibres. The environmental sensor industry is searching for sensitive gas detector systems.
   Photonic Crystal Fibre (PCF) technology has the potential to become an enabling optical component. Indeed, Photonic Crystal Fibres have re-defined what an optical fibre is and does, and dramatically enlarged the available design space.