Suspended-Core Photonic Microcells-Flexible and Highly Efficient Lab-in-Fiber Platforms

All right reserved. We report a novel type of optical fiber in-line structures named suspendedcore photonic microcells. These microcells are fabricated by inflating selected air-columns in a commercial photonic crystal fiber, and can be made to have different suspendedcore structures. The microcells exhibit a range of novel optical properties such as large evanescent-field in air, high birefringence, and multiple waveguiding cores. The suspended core and the surrounding evanescent-field are isolated from external environment, and can act as robust platforms for light-matter interaction inside the microcells. The microcells can be connected to standard fiber systems with low loss. They are efficient platforms for lab-in-fiber researches. Properties of the microcells are discussed and examples of potential applications presented. The research reported here offers a new way for the development and application of lab-in-fiber technologies.