Recent advances in hollow core fibre technology

Once a niche curiosity confined to a few physics laboratories, antiresonant hollow core fibers (AR-HCFs) have recently emerged as a transformative optical platform, surprising the scientific community with their exceptional performance. These fibers are now poised for widespread adoption across diverse fields, including optical communications, high-power laser delivery, and quantum technologies. This review highlights the key breakthroughs that have propelled AR-HCFs from experimental novelty to practical utility. We explore the fundamental innovations enabling their unique ability to guide light within a hollow core while achieving ultra-low loss, low chromatic dispersion, and minimal temperature sensitivity. These properties make AR-HCFs uniquely suited for demanding applications where conventional fibers fall short. Finally, we examine the short- and long-term scientific and industrial opportunities enabled by this technology, underscoring its potential to reshape the future of photonics.