On-fiber high-resolution photonic nanojets via high refractive index dielectrics

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates high-resolution photonic nanojets at telecommunication wavelengths using high-refractive index mesoscale dielectrics on optical fibers, achieving sub-wavelength focusing for potential sensing and imaging applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel fiber-based approach to generate high-resolution photonic nanojets with engineered mesoscale dielectrics, enhancing spatial focusing capabilities.

Findings

Achieved FWHM of 0.28λ0 with 2D dielectric

Achieved FWHM of 0.17λ0 and 0.21λ0 in 3D configuration

Demonstrated controllable nanojet shifting via truncation

Abstract

In this manuscript, we present high spatial resolution focusing of electromagnetic waves at telecommunication wavelengths ({\lambda}0 = 1.55 {\mu}m) by using high-refractive index mesoscale dielectrics placed at the end of an optical fiber. Our approach exploits photonic nanojets (PNJs) to achieve high-intensity, spatially narrow focal spots. The response of the device is evaluated in detail considering 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) configurations using high-index mesoscale cylindrical and spherical dielectrics, respectively, placed on top of an optical fiber. It is shown how the PNJs can be shifted towards the output surface of the mesoscale high-index dielectric by simply truncating its 2D/3D cylindrical/spherical output profile. With this setup, a PNJ with a high transversal resolution is obtained using the 2D/3D engineered mesoscale dielectric particles achieving a Full-Width at Half-Maximum of FWHM = 0.28{\lambda}0 (2D truncated dielectric), and FWHMy = 0.17{\lambda}0 and FWHMx = 0.21{\lambda}0 (3D truncated dielectric). The proposed structure may have potential in applications where near-field high spatial resolution is required, such as in sensing and imaging systems.