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Dynamic manipulation of modes in an optical waveguide using dielectrophoresis
Author(s) -
Kayani Aminuddin A.,
Khoshmanesh Khashayar,
Nguyen Thach G.,
Kostovski Gorgi,
Chrimes Adam F.,
Nasabi Mahyar,
Heller Daniel A.,
Mitchell Arnan,
Kalantarzadeh Kourosh
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
electrophoresis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.666
H-Index - 158
eISSN - 1522-2683
pISSN - 0173-0835
DOI - 10.1002/elps.201200083
Subject(s) - optofluidics , reconfigurability , dielectrophoresis , waveguide , materials science , flexibility (engineering) , optoelectronics , coupling (piping) , optics , refractive index , nanotechnology , physics , microfluidics , computer science , telecommunications , statistics , mathematics , metallurgy
The emergence of optofluidics has brought a high degree of tuneability and reconfigurability to optical devices. These possibilities are provided by characteristics of fluids including mobility, wide range of index modulation, and abrupt interfaces that can be easily reshaped. In this work, we created a new class of optofluidic waveguides, in which suspended mesoparticles were employed to greatly enhance the flexibility of the system. We demonstrated tuneable quasi single mode waveguides using spatially controllable mesoparticles in optofluidics. The coupling of waveguiding modes into the assembly of mesoparticles produces strong interactions and resonant conditions, which promote the transitions of the waveguiding modes. The modal response of the system depends on the distribution of packed particles above the polymeric rib waveguide which can be readily controlled under the appropriate combination of dielectrophoresis and hydrodynamic forces.