A biophotonic approach to measure pH in small volumes in vitro: Quantifiable differences in metabolic flux around the cumulus-oocyte-complex (COC).

Unfertilised eggs (oocytes) release chemical biomarkers into the medium surrounding them. This provides an opportunity to monitor cell health and development during assisted reproductive processes if detected in a non-invasive manner. Here we report the measurement of pH using an optical fibre probe, OFP1, in 5 µL drops of culture medium containing single mouse cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs). This allowed for the detection of statistically significant differences in pH between COCs in culture medium with no additives and those incubated with either a chemical (cobalt chloride) or hormonal treatment (follicle stimulating hormone); both of which serve to induce the release of lactic acid into the medium immediately surrounding the COC. Importantly, OFP1 was shown to be cell-safe with no inherent cell toxicity or light-induced phototoxicity indicated by negative DNA damage staining. Pre-measurement photobleaching of the probe reduced fluorescence signal variability, providing improved measurement precision (0.01-0.05 pH units) compared to previous studies. This optical technology presents a promising platform for the measurement of pH and the detection of other extracellular biomarkers to assess cell health during assisted reproduction.

Light-Sheet Skew Ray-Enhanced Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance-Based Chemical Sensing.

A stronger absorption of pump/probe light is desirable for maximizing the sensitivity to enable accurate measurements of trace chemical elements. We introduce a new sensing technique built on light-sheet excitation of skew rays in a multimode fiber with an additional enhancement of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and its evanescent-field hotspots between gold nanospheres on the coated fiber. A skewed light-sheet (i.e., a thin plane of light) can exploit the optimum ray group, producing enhanced and uniform interactions between light and matter for higher absorption/sensitivity and higher power threshold. The heightened evanescent field couples to the localized surface plasmon resonant modes to attain even greater sensitivity. We compared this excitation method with the previously demonstrated light-sheet skew ray-based sensor without LSPR and observed an enhancement in normalized attenuation of pump light up to seven orders of magnitude for low-concentration rhodamine B. The improvement in the normalized detection limit is almost three orders of magnitude. This new sensing technique uses a functionalized fiber rather than pairing a passive fiber with added functional particles in the analyte, which offers better area-selectivity. The potentially low-cost chemical sensors can be used on a range of sensing mechanisms such as pump/probe light absorption.

Correlated Eigenvalues of Multi-Soliton Optical Communications.

There is a fundamental limit on the capacity of fibre optical communication system (Shannon Limit). This limit can be potentially overcome via using Nonlinear Frequency Division Multiplexing. Dealing with noises in these systems is one of the most critical parts in implementing a practical system. In this paper, we discover and characterize the correlations among the NFT channels. It is demonstrated that the correlation is universal (i.e., independent of types of system noises) and can be exploited to maximize transmission throughput. We propose and experimentally confirm a noise model showing that end-to-end noise can be modelled as the accumulation of noise associated with each segment of optical communication which can be dealt with independently. Also, each point noise can be further decomposed into different components, some of which are more significant (and even dominating) than others. Hence, one can further approximate and simplify the noise model by focusing on the significant component.

Radiated and guided optical waves of a magnetic dipole-nanofiber system.

Nanophotonics-photonic structures with subwavelength features-allow accessing high intensity and localized electromagnetic field and hence is an ideal platform for investigating and exploiting strong lightmatter interaction. In particular, such a strong light-matter interaction requires investigating the interaction of a magnetic dipole with the electromagnetic field- a less-explored topic, which has usually been ignored within the framework of electric dipole approximation. Motivated by recent advances in the emerging field of multipolar nanophotonics, here we develop an analytical model that provides a new insight into analyzing a magnetic dipole and a nanofiber. This method enables us to examine the effect of second term in the multipolar expansion of light-matter interaction, magnetic dipole approximation, with individual guided and radiation modes of the nanofiber. This is a critical key in developing nanophotonic integrated devices based on magnetic nature of light for super-imaging, biosensing, and optical computing.

Control of Molecular Recognition via Modulation of the Nanoenvironment.

Many biological processes are driven by the interaction of a host with a guest molecule. We show such interactions can be modulated by carefully defining the local molecular environment to give a specific chemical outcome. Particularly, the selectivity of a host toward two different ions (Ca2+ and Al3+) is defined by it being in solution or the physisorbed state. In solution, the host displays greater selectivity toward Ca2+. When physisorbed, the selectivity profile of the host is reversed with enhanced binding of Al3+. This demonstrates a single host molecule can be tailored to selectively bind multiple guests by altering its nanoenvironment.

Mode-Splitting for Refractive Index Sensing in Fluorescent Whispering Gallery Mode Microspheres with Broken Symmetry.

Whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonators have become increasingly diverse in terms of both architecture and applications, especially as refractometric sensors, allowing for unprecedented levels of sensitivity. However, like every refractometric sensor, a single WGM resonator cannot distinguish temperature variations from changes in the refractive index of the surrounding environment. Here, we investigate how breaking the symmetry of an otherwise perfect fluorescent microsphere, by covering half of the resonator with a high-refractive-index (RI) glue, might enable discrimination of changes in temperature from variations in the surrounding refractive index. This novel approach takes advantage of the difference of optical pathway experienced by WGMs circulating in different equatorial planes of a single microsphere resonator, which induces mode-splitting. We investigated the influence of the surrounding RI of the microsphere on mode-splitting through an evaluation of the sphere's WGM spectrum and quality factor (Q-factor). Our results reveal that the magnitude of the mode-splitting increases as the refractive index contrast between the high-refractive-index (RI) glue and the surrounding environment increases, and that when they are equal no mode-splitting can be seen. Investigating the refractive index sensitivity of the individual sub modes resulting from the mode-splitting unveils a new methodology for RI sensing, and enables discrimination between surrounding refractive index changes and temperature changes, although it comes at the cost of an overall reduced refractive index sensitivity.

Femtosecond-laser-written Microstructured Waveguides in BK7 Glass.

There is a deficiency of low-loss microstructured waveguides that can be fabricated with a single laser-pass to minimize stress build-up, which can enable enhanced functionality and higher compactness for integrated optical devices. We demonstrate, for the first time, a series of multi-ring claddings each with a pair of cores in BK7 glass. Each waveguide was fabricated using only a single laser-pass at 1 MHz pulse repetition rate, 5 mm/s translation speed, 250 fs pulse width, over a set of pulse energies. We obtained the lowest-reported propagation loss of 0.062 dB/cm, measured at 1155 nm wavelength from the waveguide written with 340 nJ pulse energy. The maximum observed numerical aperture is 0.020, measured at 1155 nm wavelength from the waveguide written with 620 nJ pulse energy. Such waveguides could be incorporated in integrated Raman laser platforms for biomedical applications.

Synchronised dual-wavelength mode-locking in waveguide lasers.

We present a novel approach to study continuous-wave mode-locking in a waveguide laser in the presence of a gain profile with complex features. We introduce a new simulation approach where we separate the role of gain, nonlinearity, dispersion and saturable absorption elements to provide a better understanding of the interplay between these elements. In particular, we use the simulation to explain synchronised dual-wavelength mode-locking. The results show that despite the existence of dispersion which tends to form separate pulse trains in the laser cavity, the saturable absorber plays a critical role in keeping the different wavelength components synchronised. This work, for the first time, provides insight into existing experimental results. It also demonstrates new methods for studying lasers, especially mode-locking laser, with short laser cavities.

Towards rewritable multilevel optical data storage in single nanocrystals.

Novel approaches for digital data storage are imperative, as storage capacities are drastically being outpaced by the exponential growth in data generation. Optical data storage represents the most promising alternative to traditional magnetic and solid-state data storage. In this paper, a novel and energy efficient approach to optical data storage using rare-earth ion doped inorganic insulators is demonstrated. In particular, the nanocrystalline alkaline earth halide BaFCl:Sm is shown to provide great potential for multilevel optical data storage. Proof-of-concept demonstrations reveal for the first time that these phosphors could be used for rewritable, multilevel optical data storage on the physical dimensions of a single nanocrystal. Multilevel information storage is based on the very efficient and reversible conversion of Sm3+ to Sm2+ ions upon exposure to UV-C light. The stored information is then read-out using confocal optics by employing the photoluminescence of the Sm2+ ions in the nanocrystals, with the signal strength depending on the UV-C fluence used during the write step. The latter serves as the mechanism for multilevel data storage in the individual nanocrystals, as demonstrated in this paper. This data storage platform has the potential to be extended to 2D and 3D memory for storage densities that could potentially approach petabyte/cm3 levels.

Widely tunable, high slope efficiency waveguide lasers in a Yb-doped glass chip operating at 1 µm.

Ultrafast laser inscribed waveguide lasers can lead to highly efficient and compact optical devices. This Letter reports an average lasing efficiency of 65%±2.5% from a multi-waveguide 2.5 mol. % ytterbium-doped ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AlF3-NaF (Yb:ZBLAN) chip in an extended-cavity configuration. A maximum output power of 750 mW with a lasing efficiency of 68% is also achieved. A monolithic end-coupled configuration reached a maximum output power of 784 mW with a lasing efficiency of 70%. The lasing wavelength is tuned from 1001 to 1045 nm in a Littrow configured cavity. A beam propagation factor of the lowest-order transverse-mode output was routinely achieved with an M2 of 1.15.

Author Correction: Ultra-fast Hygrometer based on U-shaped Optical Microfiber with Nanoporous Polyelectrolyte Coating.

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.

Magnetically sensitive nanodiamond-doped tellurite glass fibers.

Traditional optical fibers are insensitive to magnetic fields, however many applications would benefit from fiber-based magnetometry devices. In this work, we demonstrate a magnetically sensitive optical fiber by doping nanodiamonds containing nitrogen vacancy centers into tellurite glass fibers. The fabrication process provides a robust and isolated sensing platform as the magnetic sensors are fixed in the tellurite glass matrix. Using optically detected magnetic resonance from the doped nanodiamonds, we demonstrate detection of local magnetic fields via side excitation and longitudinal collection. This is a first step towards intrinsically magneto-sensitive fiber devices with future applications in medical magneto-endoscopy and remote mineral exploration sensing.

Optical Microfiber Technology for Current, Temperature, Acceleration, Acoustic, Humidity and Ultraviolet Light Sensing.

Optical microfibers possess excellent optical and mechanical properties that have been exploited for sensing. We highlight the authors' recent work in the areas of current, temperature, acceleration, acoustic, humidity and ultraviolet-light sensing based on this exquisite technology, and the advantages and challenges of using optical microfibers are discussed.

Ultra-fast Hygrometer based on U-shaped Optical Microfiber with Nanoporous Polyelectrolyte Coating.

Real-time measurement of the relative humidity of air has applications ranging from process control to safety. By using a microfiber form-factor, we demonstrate a miniature and fast-response hygrometer with the shortest-ever response time (3 ms). The sensor head consists of an optical microfiber of 10 µm diameter and 2 mm length configured to form a compact U-shaped probe, and functionalized with a polyelectrolyte multilayer coating of 1.0 bilayer. The sensing mechanism is primarily water-absorption-based optical loss. We have measured a response time of 3 ms and a recovery time of 36 ms. The sensitivity is as high as 0.4%/%RH, and the detection limit is as low as 1.6%RH. The maximum relative humidity is 99%RH, before reaching a recoverable dew-point.

Nanofilm-induced spectral tuning of third harmonic generation.

Intermodal third-harmonic generation using waveguides is an effective frequency conversion process due to the combination of long interaction lengths and strong modal confinement. Here we introduce the concept of tuning the third harmonic phase-matching condition via the use of dielectric nanofilms located on an open waveguide core. We experimentally demonstrate that tantalum oxide nanofilms coated onto the core of an exposed core fiber allow tuning the third harmonic wavelength over 30 nm, as confirmed by qualitative simulations. Due to its generic character, the presented tuning scheme can be applied to any form of exposed core waveguide and will find applications in fields including microscopy, biosensing, and quantum optics.

Unified theory of whispering gallery multilayer microspheres with single dipole or active layer sources.

The development of a fast and reliable whispering gallery mode (WGM) simulator capable of generating spectra that are comparable with experiment is an important step forward for designing microresonators. We present a new model for generating WGM spectra for multilayer microspheres, which allows for an arbitrary number of concentric dielectric layers, and any number of embedded dipole sources or uniform distributions of dipole sources to be modeled. The mode excitation methods model embedded nanoparticles, or fluorescent dye coatings, from which normalized power spectra with accurate representation of the mode coupling efficiencies can be derived. In each case, the emitted power is expressed conveniently as a function of wavelength, with minimal computational load. The model makes use of the transfer-matrix approach, incorporating improvements to its stability, resulting in a reliable, general set of formulae for calculating whispering gallery mode spectra. In the specific cases of the dielectric microsphere and the single-layer coated microsphere, our model simplifies to confirmed formulae in the literature.

Photodetector based on Vernier-Enhanced Fabry-Perot Interferometers with a Photo-Thermal Coating.

We present a new type of fiber-coupled photodetector with a thermal-based optical sensor head, which enables it to operate even in the presence of strong electro-magnetic interference and in electrically sensitive environments. The optical sensor head consists of three cascaded Fabry-Perot interferometers. The end-face surface is coated with copper-oxide micro-particles embedded in hydrogel, which is a new photo-thermal coating that can be readily coated on many different surfaces. Under irradiation, photons are absorbed by the photo-thermal coating, and are converted into heat, changing the optical path length of the probing light and induces a resonant wavelength shift. For white-light irradiation, the photodetector exhibits a power sensitivity of 760 pm/mW, a power detection limit of 16.4 µW (i.e. specific detectivity of 2.2 × 105 cm.√Hz/W), and an optical damage threshold of ~100 mW or ~800 mW/cm2. The response and recovery times are 3.0 s (~90% of change within 100 ms) and 16.0 s respectively.

Plasmonic Fiber Optic Refractometric Sensors: From Conventional Architectures to Recent Design Trends.

Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) fiber sensor research has grown since the first demonstration over 20 year ago into a rich and diverse field with a wide range of optical fiber architectures, plasmonic coatings, and excitation and interrogation methods. Yet, the large diversity of SPR fiber sensor designs has made it difficult to understand the advantages of each approach. Here, we review SPR fiber sensor architectures, covering the latest developments from optical fiber geometries to plasmonic coatings. By developing a systematic approach to fiber-based SPR designs, we identify and discuss future research opportunities based on a performance comparison of the different approaches for sensing applications.

Cancer Detection in Human Tissue Samples Using a Fiber-Tip pH Probe.

Intraoperative detection of tumorous tissue is an important unresolved issue for cancer surgery. Difficulty in differentiating between tissue types commonly results in the requirement for additional surgeries to excise unremoved cancer tissue or alternatively in the removal of excess amounts of healthy tissue. Although pathologic methods exist to determine tissue type during surgery, these methods can compromise postoperative pathology, have a lag of minutes to hours before the surgeon receives the results of the tissue analysis, and are restricted to excised tissue. In this work, we report the development of an optical fiber probe that could potentially find use as an aid for margin detection during surgery. A fluorophore-doped polymer coating is deposited on the tip of an optical fiber, which can then be used to record the pH by monitoring the emission spectra from this dye. By measuring the tissue pH and comparing with the values from regular tissue, the tissue type can be determined quickly and accurately. The use of a novel lift-and-measure technique allows for these measurements to be performed without influence from the inherent autofluorescence that commonly affects fluorescence-based measurements on biological samples. The probe developed here shows strong potential for use during surgery, as the probe design can be readily adapted to a low-cost portable configuration, which could find use in the operating theater. Use of this probe in surgery either on excised or in vivo tissue has the potential to improve success rates for complete removal of cancers. Cancer Res; 76(23); 6795-801. ©2016 AACR.

Ultrafast pulse generation in a mode-locked Erbium chip waveguide laser.

We report mode-locked ~1550 nm output of transform-limited ~180 fs pulses from a large mode-area (diameter ~50 µm) guided-wave erbium fluorozirconate glass laser. The passively mode-locked oscillator generates pulses with 25 nm bandwidth at 156 MHz repetition rate and peak-power of 260 W. Scalability to higher repetition rate is demonstrated by transform-limited 410 fs pulse output at 1.3 GHz. To understand the origins of the broad spectral output, the laser cavity is simulated by using a numerical solution to the Ginzburg-Landau equation. This paper reports the widest bandwidth and shortest pulses achieved from an ultra-fast laser inscribed waveguide laser.