Light driven optofluidic switch developed in a ZnO-overlaid microstructured optical fiber

Area of Science:

• Optofluidics
• Nanomaterials Science
• Optical Engineering

Background:

• Controlling fluidic properties in photonic circuits using only light presents a significant challenge in optofluidics.
• Existing methods often require complex external components or are not fully reversible.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a novel microstructured optical fiber (MOF) Fabry-Perot interferometer with ZnO nanolayers.
• To achieve fully reversible optofluidic switching behavior controlled solely by light.
• To investigate the light-triggered wettability mechanism for fluid control.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a ZnO nanolayered MOF Fabry-Perot interferometer.
• Utilizing UV (248 nm) and green (532 nm) lasers for light-induced actuation and switching.
• In situ monitoring using optical microscopy and real-time analysis of Fabry-Perot reflection spectra.
• Employing photoluminescence and spectrophotometric measurements to understand the switching mechanism.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated successful optofluidic switching behavior in the ZnO-coated MOF.
• Confirmed light-triggered wettability control of water filling and draining within the Fabry-Perot cavity.
• Established a correlation between light irradiation and fluidic state changes.
• Provided initial insights into the photophysical mechanisms underlying the light-triggered switching.

Conclusions:

• The developed ZnO-based MOF interferometer offers a promising platform for light-controlled optofluidic devices.
• This technology paves the way for smart, in-fiber optofluidic light switching devices.
• Potential applications include advanced actuating and sensing systems within optical fibers.