Building Optical Highways: Polymer Microsphere CROWs
Thermo-Welded Periodic Arrays of Fluorescent Polymer Microspheres for Rollable Coupled-Resonator Optical Waveguides.
We design and fabricate flexible optical waveguides using polymer microspheres that trap and guide light, ideal for on-chip photonic integration. By combining micromanipulation with precision thermo-welding, we build customized polystyrene-based CROWs (Coupled-Resonator Optical Waveguides) in tailored shapes and lengths.
“Micromanipulation empowers precision at the microscale, where positioning a single particle can shape the flow of light.”
Using microspheres doped with red, green, and blue fluorophores, we form multi-colored, welded chains from simple dimers to large, periodic henicosameric structures. These chains support whispering-gallery modes, enabling efficient light transmission through both active and passive pathways in opposite directions.
"Precision welding of polymer microspheres unlocks new possibilities in photonics, where structural integrity meets functional innovation in light transport and sensing."
The welded arrays are mechanically rollable, confirming their structural integrity and functional cohesion. These versatile, low-cost photonic components offer promising potential for applications in optical sensing, signal modulation, and guided light transport, pushing the boundaries of integrated nanophotonics.
