We propose a novel implementation of a miniaturized photonic
platform
fabricated on a multicore fiber tip, capable of tunable optical functions
via coupling to Bloch surface waves (BSWs). A one-dimensional photonic
crystal is deposited on the cleaved surface of a fiber tip, allowing
the propagation of BSWs in the near-infrared. On top of each core,
subwavelength gratings are fabricated to operate as optical couplers
between BSWs and the corresponding fiber modes. The ability to control
the optical interconnection among different pairs of cores of the
multicore fiber via polarization-selective BSW coupling is demonstrated.
The resulting compact, tunable, and portable platforms can be fruitfully
employed in the vast application domain covered by optical fiber technology
including sensing, optical trapping, manipulation, and information
processing.