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Analyzing Mixing Inhomogeneity in a Microfluidic Device by Microscale Schlieren Technique
Published on: June 12, 2015
Analysis of liquid-to-solid coupling and other performance parameters for microfluidically reconfigurable photonic
Erica E Jung1, Aram J Chung, David Erickson
1Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA.
Optics Express
|July 1, 2010
Summary
Researchers explored light coupling in liquid-core waveguides for reconfigurable photonics. They found that increasing Peclet number reduces bending loss and demonstrated high end-fire coupling efficiency, paving the way for adaptable photonic systems.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and optical engineering
- Microfluidics
- Materials science
Background:
- Conventional solid-core waveguides offer stability but lack reconfigurability.
- Liquid-core waveguides present opportunities for dynamic photonic systems but face challenges like light attenuation and diversion.
- Developing efficient coupling mechanisms between liquid and solid waveguides is crucial for practical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analytically investigate the coupling of light between liquid-core and solid-core waveguides.
- To assess the optical properties of liquid waveguides for microfluidically reconfigurable photonic systems.
- To overcome the limitations of both solid and liquid waveguides through hybrid approaches.
Main Methods:
- Analytical investigation of light coupling and optical properties.
- Construction of a finite element model for the liquid waveguide system.
- Evaluation of mode field diameter, attenuation, bending loss, and coupling efficiencies as functions of Peclet number and refractive index difference.
Main Results:
- Mode field diameter decreases and bending losses are reduced with increasing Peclet number in pure liquid systems.
- Observed irreversible evanescent coupling due to variations in the liquid core's propagation constant.
- Achieved end-fire coupling efficiencies as high as 84% by tuning the mode field diameter.
Conclusions:
- Liquid-core waveguides offer tunable properties for reconfigurable photonics.
- Irreversible coupling presents a challenge that needs careful management.
- Hybrid liquid-solid waveguide systems can yield a new paradigm for adaptable photonic devices, overcoming drawbacks of purely solid or liquid systems.
