A monolithic structured polymer preform was formed by in-situ
chemical polymerization of high-purity MMA monomer in a home-made
mould. The conditions for fabrication of the preforms were optimized and
the preform was drawn to microstructured polymer optical fibre. The optical
properties of the resultant elliptical-core fibre were measured. This
technique provides advantages over alternative preform fabrication methods
such as drilling and capillary stacking, which are less suitable for mass
production.