Fiber Optofluidic Microlasers: Structures, Characteristics, and Applications

Abstract

Herein, recent progress in fiber optofluidic lasers and their applications in biochemical detection are reviewed. The unique properties of optical fibers are introduced for the development of optofluidic microlasers, including high quality factor, small mode volume, high aspect ratio, high reproducibility, and low cost. Optical fiber microresonators based on Fabry-Pérot cavity, microring resonator or photonic bandgap cavity are highlighted to provide optical feedback for optofluidic lasing. For applications, the capability of fiber optofluidic lasers is emphasized to perform biochemical analysis with ultrahigh sensitivity, fast response, high throughput, and disposable optical biodetection. The challenges and prospects for fiber optofluidic lasers are also discussed.

Multifunctional Laser Imaging of Cancer Cell Secretion with Hybrid Liquid Crystal Resonators

“…Microlasers integrated with biological systems have received tremendous attention in the last decade for their potential in biomedical and biological applications. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] By taking advantage of optical resonators, laser-based detection offers distinct advantages in terms of signal amplification, narrow linewidth, the possibility of directional outcoupling (high signal-to-noise ratio), and unique threshold behavior (high contrast ratio in imaging). [1][2][3] Strong light interactions between the optical cavity and biological substances, therefore, lead to ultrahigh sensitivity for molecular sensing.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] By taking advantage of optical resonators, laser-based detection offers distinct advantages in terms of signal amplification, narrow linewidth, the possibility of directional outcoupling (high signal-to-noise ratio), and unique threshold behavior (high contrast ratio in imaging). [1][2][3] Strong light interactions between the optical cavity and biological substances, therefore, lead to ultrahigh sensitivity for molecular sensing. [9][10][11][12] To achieve spatial information, the concept of DOI: 10.1002/lpor.202100734 laser emission imaging was first proposed a few years ago, in which laser emissions were collected to form an image with subdiffraction resolution and high contrast.…”

Fiber‐Optic Theranostics (FOT): Interstitial Fiber‐Optic Needles for Cancer Sensing and Therapy

“…This study was also a starting point for building the scalable platform dubbed as “medicine‐on‐a‐fiber,” which may usher in more advanced strategies involving proven and cutting‐edge techniques of optoelectronics, materials and medicine. For example, fiber microfluidic devices will offer good opportunities for the exploration of fiber‐based medicine delivery [ 26 , 27 , 28 ] and fibers with self‐photoactuation may facilitate navigation and manipulation of theranostic fiber needles in the body. [ 29 ]…”

A New Generation of Liquid Lasers from Engineered Semiconductor Nanocrystals with Giant Optical Gain

“…Solution-based coherent light sources or liquid lasers are attracting more and more attention driven by the booming development of optofluidic technology, where optics and liquids are adopted synergistically to bring about novel functionalities. [1][2][3][4] Compared to solid-state lasers consisting of close-packed gain materials, liquid lasers exhibit unique characteristics, enabling the generation of highly compact and integrated devices upon the marriage of microfluidics and photonics, which hold great promise for applications of flexible optoelectronics, label-free chemical detection, biomedical diagnosis, and wearable devices. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] The solution-phase gain medium represents the key element of a liquid laser and its iteration is critical to the development DOI: 10.1002/lpor.202200703 of optofluidic technology.…”