Abstract
We report the development of two liquid waveguide based photonic elements for use in reconfigurable photonic systems. This work demonstrates the ability to couple light from a conventional optical fiber to an adaptable liquid-core/liquid-cladding waveguide and back again to an optical fiber(s) enabling us to take advantage of both liquid- and solid-state photonic modalities. We demonstrate and characterize the use of this fiber-in and fiber-out system as either an optical switch or signal attenuator. Microscale flow control enables the adaptive morphology and tunable position of the liquid waveguide yielding an attenuation range of 3.1-10.7 dB, operability over a broad bandwidth spanning the range of wavelengths from visible to telecommunication, and a 1x2 sub-second switching system with a cross-talk as low as 20 dB and maximum coupling efficiency of 3.87 dB.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 8602-8609 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Optics Express |
Volume | 19 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2011 Apr 25 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics