Single-mode air-clad liquid-core waveguides on a surface energy patterned substrate

We demonstrate a new kind of single-mode micro-optical waveguide based on a liquid core on top of solid substrate and air cladding. The liquid is held in place by surface tension and patterned surface energy on the substrate. Due to the smooth nature of the liquid/air interface down to the molecular level, low scattering losses are expected. Losses were measured to be -6.0 and -7.8 dB/cm for, respectively, 12 and 9 mu m wide waveguides. (C) 2014 Optical Society of America