Page 158 - Optofluidics Fundamentals, Devices, and Applications

CHAPTER 7

Optofluidic Photonic

Crystal Fibers:

Properties and

Applications

P. Domachuk, P. Steinvurzel, B. Kuhlmey, and
B. J. Eggleton
CUDOS, School of Physics, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

ptofluidics is an evolving design principle whereby aspects
of microphotonics and microfluidics are combined to enable
Onew device modalities [1,2]. This all-encompassing defini-
tion reflects the diversity of optofluidic devices in terms of photonic
and microfluidic structures, functions, and applications. While often
applied to planar photonics [3], optofluidic design can also be suc-
cessfully applied to microstructured and photonic crystal optical
fibers, or even simply using capillaries. Indeed, one of the first optical
fiber waveguide designs entailed a hollow capillary filled with a
high-refractive index fluid [4]. These fibers present a unique environ-
ment to perform optofluidics [2,5]. The fibers themselves provide
very high quality optical waveguides culminating from decades of
telecommunications research providing a photonic layer and associ-
ated light sources, detection equipment, and optical interfaces [6].
Synergistically, microstructured optical fibers (MOFs) composed of
inclusions along the length of the waveguide provide a natural repos-
itory for microfluidic bodies [7,8]. These two factors enable optofluid-
ics to provide natural extensions to MOF functionality. In this chapter
we review the history, development, and directions of photonic

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