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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
08:06
Design and Fabrication of an Optical Fiber Made of Water
Published on: November 8, 2018
Summary
A novel water core photonic crystal fiber was developed, showing similar guiding properties to air-hole fibers but with a shifted bandgap. This fiber demonstrates potential for near-infrared (NIR) biosensing applications.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Optical Fiber Technology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) offer unique light-guiding properties.
- Water-filled or water-core structures present opportunities for novel optical functionalities.
- Fresnel guidance is an alternative mechanism for light confinement in optical structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a novel water core photonic crystal fiber (PCF) utilizing zone plates.
- To investigate the guiding properties and optical characteristics of this new fiber design.
- To explore the potential of the water core PCF for biosensing applications.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a cylindrical waveguide with a specific hole distribution forming zone plates.
- Characterization of the fiber's guiding properties, including loss spectra.
- Observation of absorption bands in the near-infrared (NIR) region.
Main Results:
- The developed water core PCF exhibits guiding properties comparable to pristine air-hole guiding fibers.
- A significant loss edge around 900nm was observed, indicating a shift in the bandgap associated with Fresnel guidance to longer wavelengths.
- Characteristic absorption bands of water in the NIR region were successfully detected.
Conclusions:
- The novel water core photonic crystal Fresnel fiber is successfully developed and characterized.
- The fiber's guiding properties are promising, with a bandgap shift suitable for specific applications.
- The observed water absorption bands in the NIR suggest potential for effective biosensing applications.
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