Tunable metafibers for power-controlled remote light focusing
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Precise control of light focus is essential for applications ranging from microscopy and laser surgery to quantum optics and telecommunications. However, existing solutions often rely on large, complex external components that limit integration and speed.
Figure 1. Illustration of the Tunable Metafiber concept.
Sun, J., Huang, W., Lorenz, A. et al.
In a new study, researchers led by Professor Markus A. Schmidt from the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology and Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany have introduced a novel solution: the tunable Metafiber. This fully fiber-integrated device uses a 3D nanoprinted phase-only hologram directly on the end face of a dual-core fiber to achieve remote focus control by simply adjusting the relative power between the fiber’s guided modes.
The hologram is designed to be sensitive to changes in the interference pattern of the light emitted from each core, enabling a shift in the focal spot's position without the need for any moving parts. Experimental results confirm that precise and continuous focus modulation of over 3 microns can be achieved while maintaining high beam quality.
This new approach allows for compact, robust, and fast tunable focusing using optical fibers, significantly advancing the field of reconfigurable photonics. Potential applications include high-speed optical trapping, integrated endoscopic tools for minimally invasive diagnostics or surgery, and improved signal routing in fiber communication systems.
The Metafiber’s tunability arises entirely from power modulation — a method much faster than traditional mechanical or liquid-crystal-based approaches — and is compatible with existing fiber systems. This makes it ideal for rapid implementation in both research and industrial applications.
The study marks a milestone in on-fiber photonic integration and opens exciting avenues for developing next-generation fiber-based optical systems.
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