Tunable microfluidic optical-fiber devices based on electrowetting pumps and plastic microchannels

Abstract

This letter introduces a class of tunable microfluidic fiber device that uses molded plastic microchannels and electrowetting pumps. It demonstrates the application of this type of system to dynamically adjustable narrow-band and wide-band all-fiber filters. Compact size, low-cost fabrication procedures, low-power (<1 mW) consumption, nonmechanical operation, and good optical characteristics are among the attractive features of these devices. They have many attributes that could make them useful for certain applications in photonics.