3D nanoprinted fiber-interfaced hollow-core waveguides for high-accuracy nanoparticle tracking analysis

Abstract The integration of functional components into flexible photonic environments is a critical area of research in integrated photonics and is essential for high-precision sensing. This work presents a novel concept of interfacing square-core hollow-core waveguides with commercially available o...

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Main Authors: Diana Pereira, Torsten Wieduwilt, Walter Hauswald, Matthias Zeisberger, Marta S. Ferreira, Markus A. Schmidt
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2025-05-01
Series:Light: Science & Applications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01827-9
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author Diana Pereira
Torsten Wieduwilt
Walter Hauswald
Matthias Zeisberger
Marta S. Ferreira
Markus A. Schmidt
author_facet Diana Pereira
Torsten Wieduwilt
Walter Hauswald
Matthias Zeisberger
Marta S. Ferreira
Markus A. Schmidt
author_sort Diana Pereira
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The integration of functional components into flexible photonic environments is a critical area of research in integrated photonics and is essential for high-precision sensing. This work presents a novel concept of interfacing square-core hollow-core waveguides with commercially available optical fibers using 3D nanoprinting, and demonstrates its practical relevance through a nanoscience-based characterization technique. In detail, this innovative concept results in a monolithic, fully fiber-integrated device with key advantages such as alignment-free operation, high-purity fundamental mode excitation, full polarization control, and a unique handling flexibility. For the first time, the application potential of a fiber-interfaced waveguide in nanoscale analysis is demonstrated by performing nanoparticle-tracking-analysis experiments. These experiments involve the tracking and analysis of individual gold nanospheres diffusing in the hollow core waveguide, enabled by nearly aberration-free imaging, extended observation times, and homogeneous light-line illumination. The study comprehensively covers design strategy, experimental implementation, key principles, optical characterization, and practical applications. The fiber-interfaced hollow-core waveguide concept offers significant potential for applications in bioanalytics, environmental sciences, quantum technologies, optical manipulation, and life sciences. It also paves the way for the development of novel all-fiber devices that exploit enhanced light-matter interaction in a monolithic form suitable for flexible and remote applications.
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publishDate 2025-05-01
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series Light: Science & Applications
spelling doaj-art-a7c6b1a6520340a4b5d32db091de5e7e2025-08-20T03:10:31ZengNature Publishing GroupLight: Science & Applications2047-75382025-05-0114111110.1038/s41377-025-01827-93D nanoprinted fiber-interfaced hollow-core waveguides for high-accuracy nanoparticle tracking analysisDiana Pereira0Torsten Wieduwilt1Walter Hauswald2Matthias Zeisberger3Marta S. Ferreira4Markus A. Schmidt5Leibniz Institute of Photonic TechnologyLeibniz Institute of Photonic TechnologyLeibniz Institute of Photonic TechnologyLeibniz Institute of Photonic Technologyi3N & Physics Department, University of Aveiro, Campus de SantiagoLeibniz Institute of Photonic TechnologyAbstract The integration of functional components into flexible photonic environments is a critical area of research in integrated photonics and is essential for high-precision sensing. This work presents a novel concept of interfacing square-core hollow-core waveguides with commercially available optical fibers using 3D nanoprinting, and demonstrates its practical relevance through a nanoscience-based characterization technique. In detail, this innovative concept results in a monolithic, fully fiber-integrated device with key advantages such as alignment-free operation, high-purity fundamental mode excitation, full polarization control, and a unique handling flexibility. For the first time, the application potential of a fiber-interfaced waveguide in nanoscale analysis is demonstrated by performing nanoparticle-tracking-analysis experiments. These experiments involve the tracking and analysis of individual gold nanospheres diffusing in the hollow core waveguide, enabled by nearly aberration-free imaging, extended observation times, and homogeneous light-line illumination. The study comprehensively covers design strategy, experimental implementation, key principles, optical characterization, and practical applications. The fiber-interfaced hollow-core waveguide concept offers significant potential for applications in bioanalytics, environmental sciences, quantum technologies, optical manipulation, and life sciences. It also paves the way for the development of novel all-fiber devices that exploit enhanced light-matter interaction in a monolithic form suitable for flexible and remote applications.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01827-9
spellingShingle Diana Pereira
Torsten Wieduwilt
Walter Hauswald
Matthias Zeisberger
Marta S. Ferreira
Markus A. Schmidt
3D nanoprinted fiber-interfaced hollow-core waveguides for high-accuracy nanoparticle tracking analysis
Light: Science & Applications
title 3D nanoprinted fiber-interfaced hollow-core waveguides for high-accuracy nanoparticle tracking analysis
title_full 3D nanoprinted fiber-interfaced hollow-core waveguides for high-accuracy nanoparticle tracking analysis
title_fullStr 3D nanoprinted fiber-interfaced hollow-core waveguides for high-accuracy nanoparticle tracking analysis
title_full_unstemmed 3D nanoprinted fiber-interfaced hollow-core waveguides for high-accuracy nanoparticle tracking analysis
title_short 3D nanoprinted fiber-interfaced hollow-core waveguides for high-accuracy nanoparticle tracking analysis
title_sort 3d nanoprinted fiber interfaced hollow core waveguides for high accuracy nanoparticle tracking analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01827-9
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