Manipulating and controlling the evanescent field within optical waveguides using high index nanolayers

Publication Type:
Journal Article
Citation:
Optical Materials Express, 2011, 1 (2), pp. 192 - 200
Issue Date:
2011-06-01
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Controlling the evanescent field within platform waveguide technologies underpins waveguide nanophotonics and is critical to optimising the interaction with integrated specialised materials or devices under test. Unfortunately, this interaction is often small since the evanescent field is a fraction of the total optical field. Here we propose and demonstrate, through simulation and experiment, how the waveguide evanescent field can be enhanced substantially by using high index interface layers, which draw out the optical field in the probe vicinity taking advantage of field localisation. This can be further enhanced by extended resonant and gallery modes within the channels of a structured cylindrical waveguide. Several orders of magnitude increased sensitivity with minimal added insertion loss is obtained using self-assembled layers of TiO2 (B) nanoparticles and porphyrin within a silica structured optical fibre. The combination of novel photonics with specialty material integration highlights the potential scope for physics, chemistry, sensing and materials research. © 2011 Optical Society of America.
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