Multiple Light Coupling and Routing via a Microspherical Resonator Integrated in a T-Shaped Optical Fiber Configuration System

Micromachines (Basel). 2018 Oct 15;9(10):521. doi: 10.3390/mi9100521.

Abstract

We demonstrate a three-port, light guiding and routing T-shaped configuration based on the combination of whispering gallery modes (WGMs) and micro-structured optical fibers (MOFs). This system includes a single mode optical fiber taper (SOFT), a slightly tapered MOF and a BaTiO₃ microsphere for efficient light coupling and routing between these two optical fibers. The BaTiO₃ glass microsphere is semi-immersed into one of the hollow capillaries of the MOF taper, while the single mode optical fiber taper is placed perpendicularly to the latter and in contact with the equatorial region of the microsphere. Experimental results are presented for different excitation and reading conditions through the WGM microspherical resonator, namely, through single mode optical fiber taper or the MOF. The experimental results indicate that light coupling between the MOF and the single mode optical fiber taper is facilitated at specific wavelengths, supported by the light localization characteristics of the BaTiO₃ glass microsphere, with spectral Q-factors varying between 4.5 × 10³ and 6.1 × 10³, depending on the port and parity excitation.

Keywords: light localization; microstructured optical fibers; whispering gallery modes.