volume | PIER Journals

Abstract

A novel suspended twin-core fiber (STCF) based on a single-nanoweb structure for optical switching is proposed. The singlenanoweb structure of the STCF is an ultrathin glass membrane (nanoweb) suspended in air and adhered to the inner ring of a glass fiber capillary, which substantially provides a built-in transducing mechanism to boost the pressure-induced index change in the fiber core region of the STCF. Two fiber cores locate symmetrically in the center of the nanoweb, resulting to the mode coupling for the guiding light in the STCF. Optical and mechanical properties of the proposed STCFs under different pressure force are numerically investigated. Optical switching based on the STCF is achieved by controlling the pressure force applied to the STCF. Our simulations show that optical switching from one core to the other in the STCF is realized based on a low switching force of only 8 N. The performances of the optical switching based on STCFs with different structure parameters are presented.

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Dr. Xiaowei Ma

Dr. Daru Chen