We propose a reliable fabrication process enabling the integration of dielectric and metallic nanostructures on the tip of optical fibers, thus representing a further step in the "lab-on-fiber" technology roadmap. The proposed fabrication procedure involves conventional deposition and nanopatterning techniques, typically used for planar devices, but here adapted to directly operate on optical fiber tip. Following this approach, we demonstrate a first technological platform based on the integration onto the optical fiber tip of two-dimensional hybrid metallo-dielectric nanostructures supporting localized surface plasmon resonances. By means of experimental measurements and full-wave numerical simulations, we characterize these resonant phenomena and investigate the underlying physics. We show that resonances can be easily tuned by acting on the physical and geometrical parameters of the structure. Moreover, with a view toward possible applications, we present some preliminary results demonstrating how the proposed device can work effectively as an optical probe for label-free chemical and biological sensing as well as a microphone for acoustic wave detection.

In this work, the numerical and experimental investigation of the cladding modes re-organization in high refractive index (HRI) coated Long Period Gratings (LPGs) is reported. Moreover, the effects of the cladding modes re-organization on the sensitivity to the surrounding medium refractive index (SRI) have been outlined. When azimuthally symmetric nano-scale HRI coatings are deposited along LPGs devices, a significant modification of the cladding modes distribution occurs, depending on the layer features (refractive index and thickness) and on the SRI. In particular, if layer parameters are properly chosen, the transition of the lowest order cladding mode into an overlay mode occurs. As a consequence, a cladding modes re-organization can be observed leading to relevant improvements in the SRI sensitivity in terms of wavelength shift and amplitude variations of the LPGs attenuation bands.

No abstract

No abstract

We report on the first demonstration of a proof-of-principle optical fiber ‘meta-tip’, which integrates a phase-gradient plasmonic metasurface on the fiber tip. For illustration and validation purposes, we present numerical and experimental results pertaining to various prototypes implementing generalized forms of the Snell’s transmission/reflection laws at near-infrared wavelengths. In particular, we demonstrate several examples of beam steering and coupling with surface waves, in fairly good agreement with theory. Our results constitute a first step toward the integration of unprecedented (metasurface-enabled) light-manipulation capabilities in optical-fiber technology. By further enriching the emergent ‘lab-on-fiber’ framework, this may pave the way for the widespread diffusion of optical metasurfaces in real-world applications to communications, signal processing, imaging and sensing.