Theoretical analysis of optical force density distribution inside subwavelength-diameter optical fibers

We investigate the microscopic optical force density distributions respectively inside a subwavelength-diameter(SD)fiber with flat endface and inside one with oblique endface by using a finite-difference time-domain(FDTD) method.Optical force density distributions at the fiber endfaces can now be readily available. The complete knowledge of optical force density distributions not only reveal features regarding the microscopic near-field optomechanical interaction, but also provide straightforward explanations for the sideway deflections and other mechanical motions. Our results can provide a useful reference for better understanding the mechanical influence when light transports in a microscale or nanoscale structure and for developing future highly-sensitive optomechanical devices.     

An experimental work on optical component based on D-fiber/slab evanescent coupling structure

Fiber/slab coupler structure has been exploited as a passive in-line optical fiber component for functions of filtering, intensity modulating and switching by many researchers. In this work a device based on the elliptic core D-fiber and polymer slab waveguide is proposed and its fabrication is experimentally investigated. The device is constructed by placing the polymer slab on the top of the flat side of the D-fiber, and then they are tested for transmission characteristics and polarization preserving properties for various configurations. The geometrical uniformity of the device is examined under Scanning Electron Microscope for the purpose of device performance evaluation. Potential usage of this device as an all-optical switch is also discussed at the end.     

Highly efficient optical coupling and transport phenomena in chains of dielectric microspheres

Using the generalized multiparticle Mie theory, we investigate optical coupling and transport through chains of dielectric microspheres. We identify two distinct coupling mechanisms of optical transport in terms of the coupling efficiency between neighboring microspheres, namely, evanescent coupling and nanojet coupling. We demonstrate that perfect whispering gallery mode propagation through a chain of evanescently coupled microspheres can be achieved. However, optical coupling and transport through a chain of nanojet-inducing microspheres is less efficient due to the radiative nature of photonic nanojets. Understanding these two optical coupling mechanisms is critical for selecting appropriate microspheres to build coupled resonator optical waveguides and other photon-manipulation devices for effective and low-loss guiding of photons.     

Tapered microstructured fibers for efficient coupling to optical waveguides: a numerical study

We report the possibility of using tapered microstructured fibers to improve the coupling efficiency from a standard single-mode fiber to a photonic crystal waveguide. The tapered microstructured fiber allows for the reduction of the mode mismatch between the output of the standard fiber and the input of the waveguide while maintaining single-mode guidance, which results in an enhanced coupling efficiency. Numerical simulations are conducted in order to optimize the cross section of the microstructured fiber as well as the taper profile. An improvement of more than 4 dB is obtained compared to non-tapered fibers. For further improvement, an elliptical-core tapered microstructured fiber is analyzed. The effect of misalignment between the tapered microstructured fiber and the waveguide is also studied.     

Laser amplification in an optical fiber by evanescent field coupling

A laser signal propagating in an optical fiber is amplified by the evanescent field interacting with the excited Rhodamine 6 G solution surrounding the fiber. A small signal gain of 430 at 600 nm has been measured in a long fiber with a 2 cm long fiber optic amplifier.     

Design of the novel steering-wheel micro-structured optical fibers sensor based on evanescent wave of terahertz wave band

In this paper, we present design of a hollow micro-structured photonic crystal fiber with novel steering-wheel pattern of noncircular large holes in cladding as platform for evanescent-field sensing. Based on simulation, confinement loss is less than 0.007 dB/m, and 72% of light intensity overlaps in noncircular large air holes is obtained when the incident wave frequency is 1 THz, and the nonlinear effects of the short-distance transmission are very small simultaneously. The critical value of confinement losses increases with the structure parameters. As for ultra-low loss and high sensitivity of the model, the novel steering-wheel structured fiber is well suited for evanescent-field sensing and detection of chemical and biological products.     

Mode coupling in chalcogenide-glass optical fibers

Using the time-independent power flow equation, we have examined the mode coupling caused by intrinsic perturbation effects in step-index As₂Se₃ chalcogenide-glass multimode optical fiber in the mid-infrared region. Results show that the coupling length where the equilibrium mode distribution is achieved depends on the wavelength and is of the order of kilometers.     

A virtual optical probe based on evanescent wave interference

A virtual probe is a novel immaterial tip based on the near-field evanescent wave interference and small aperture diffraction, which can be used in near-field high-density optical data storage, nano-lithography, near-field optical imaging and spectral detection, near-field optical manipulation of nano-scale specimen, etc. In this paper, the formation mechanism of the virtual probe is analysed, the evanescent wave interference discussed theoretically, and the sidelobe suppression by small aperture is simulated by the three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain method. The simulation results of the optical distribution of the near-field virtual probe reveal that the transmission efficiency of the virtual probe is 10²－10⁴ times higher than that of the nano-aperture metal-coated fibre probe widely used in near-field optical systems. The full width at half maximum of the peak, in other words, the size of virtual probe, is constant whatever the distance in a certain range so that the critical nano-separation control in the near-field system can be relaxed. We give an example of the application of the virtual probe in ultrahigh-density optical data storage.     

In situ near infrared evanescent wave examination of surfactant adsorption on silica optical fibers

The use of composite materials has increased considerably in the past 30 years. However, many of the molecular level processes occurring in the interfacial region have yet to be investigated. In this regard, an in situ Fourier transform near infrared technique has been demonstrated herein. This technique utilizes a seven-fiber bundle to examine monolayer and sub-monolayer level surfactant adsorption at the silica optical fiber/solution interface. It is felt that this technique will greatly increase the knowledge of the processes involved in the improvement of mechanical properties of silane treated composites.     

Nanolithography method with controllable critical dimension based on evanescent waves coupling

We propose a method of generating nanostructures based on evanescent waves coupling. The nanopatterns with ultra-high resolution can be formed by the interference of the evanescent waves between the pattern edges of the mold. Through properly adjusting the width of the mold groove, critical dimension of the nanopatterns can be effectively controlled. The critical dimension of the electric field versus the width of the mold groove is systematically calculated by finite-difference time-domain method. The calculation results demonstrate that through adjusting the geometric parameters of the mold, critical dimension of the electric field can be controlled within the range of 30 nm and 100 nm, and the contrast ratio is above 60%. This method provides an easy way for fabricating nanostructures with various dimensions corresponding to the mold patterns and it maybe useful in the applications such as integrate circuits, ultra-high sensitive sensors, and optical storage.     

Distributed feedback laser action in an optical fiber by evanescent field coupling

Distributed feedback (DFB) laser action has been demonstrated in an optical fiber surrounded by a gain modulated dye solution of lower refractive index. The mechanism of feedback and gain is by evanescent wave interactions.     

基于倏逝波的锥形光纤马赫-曾德尔湿度传感器

提出了一种基于倏逝波原理的光纤马赫-曾德尔湿度传感器,传感器是在2个单模光纤粗锥的传感臂中心通过绝热火焰熔融拉锥处理而成。光由传感器输入端传入,经过第1个粗锥时,将激发出若干高阶模,各模式光传输经过细锥区进入第2个粗锥时被耦合进入传感器输出端。当外界湿度变化时,细锥区倏逝场随之变化,最终导致透射谱能量变化。通过测量透射谱能量变化,可以实现环境湿度传感测量。实验结果表明,在35%~85%RH的湿度变化范围内,透射谱的能量具有相同变化趋势,处于水蒸气吸收峰附近的干涉谷湿度响应灵敏度可达0.157 dBm/%RH,温度交叉灵敏度仅为0.014 %RH/ ℃。该传感器因其制作简单、灵敏度高,温度交叉敏感小等特点,具有很好的应用前景。     

A volume holographic optical element for optical coupling to single-mode fibers

We propose and demonstrate a volume holographic optical element (VHOE) for signal-mode fiber coupling and the sending of conjugate waves of reference light for the construction of holographic elements. Given the inherent Bragg conditions of the VHOE, the angular tolerances of the conjugate reading light in both the horizontal and vertical directions are studied under different conditions.     

Photopolymer microtips for efficient light coupling between single-mode fibers and photonic crystal fibers

A novel method for light coupling between single-mode fibers (SMFs) and small-core photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) is demonstrated. The method is based on growing photopolymer microtips directly on the end faces of SMFs. The shape and size of the tips can be controlled by adjusting the laser power and the exposure time for polymerization to match the mode field to the small-core PCFs. A 5 dB improvement in coupling efficiency between a SMF and a commercial small-core, highly nonlinear PCF is experimentally demonstrated. This compact and efficient butt-coupling method is particularly suitable for PCF gas sensor applications.     

Highly efficient Yb-doped silica fibers prepared by powder sinter technology

We report on the characteristics of an active fiber with core material made by sintering of Yb-doped silica powders as an alternative to a conventional modified chemical vapor deposition (MCVD) technique. This material provides the possibility to design very large and homogenously rare-earth doped active fiber cores. We have determined a fiber background attenuation of 20 dB/km and measured a slope efficiency of 80%. These values are comparable to established fibers made by MCVD technology.     

Highly efficient direct third-harmonic generation based on control of the electro-optic effect in quasi-periodic optical superlattices

We present a method for controlling the efficiency of direct third-harmonic generation in quasi-periodic optical superlattices by means of the electro-optic effect. The calculated results manifest that this method is extremely efficient for achieving high efficiency of direct third-harmonic generation in predesigned quasi-phase-matched coupled parametric processes and is feasible at any given fundamental intensity. In addition, we demonstrate that the electro-optic control approach is significantly better than the temperature-control method.     

Transmission mode of one-dimensional phononic crystal based on coupling of total evanescent waves

In order to obtain the transmission properties of one-dimensional phononic crystal under total evanescent waves, we design structure model. Basing on the basic acoustic wave equations and boundary condition as well as the Bloch theory, we study the band structure of one-dimensional phononic crystal. We summarize the properties of the mode based on the coupling of total evanescent waves and explain its physical mechanism. There are three transmission modes in phononic crystal. Based on the coupling of total evanescent waves, the number of perfect transmission peaks is just equal to the number of structure period, and the thickness of period can be much less than the wave length.     

Grating-assisted coupling of optical fibers and photonic crystal waveguides

We propose and analyze a highly efficient method of coupling light from optical fibers to two-dimensional photonic crystal waveguides. Efficient coupling is achieved by positioning of a tapered fiber parallel to the linear defect, where the photonic crystal's cladding functions as a grating coupler and provides field confinement as well. Numerical simulations indicate that better than 90% transmission is possible with a full width at half-magnitude bandwidth of 12nm. It is shown that one can increase the bandwidth by increasing the field overlap between the two waveguides.     

Finite interaction from an evanescent coupling

We compute the first-order vertex radiative corrections in a theory in which the only interactions is an evanescent one of the form {γ₅, γ_μ}. An effective finite γ₅ interaction is obtained.