A Review of Single-Mode Fiber Optofluidics

We review the field we describe as “single-mode fiber optofluidics” which combines the technologies of microfluidics with single-mode fiber optics for delivering new implementations of well-known single-mode optical fiber devices. The ability of a fluid to be easily shaped to different geometries plus the ability to have its optical properties easily changed via concentration changes or an applied electrical or magnetic field offers potential benefits such as no mechanical moving parts, miniaturization, increased sensitivity, and lower costs. However, device fabrication and operation can be more complex than in established single-mode fiber optic devices.