Materials (May 2023)

Plasmonic Functionality of Optical Fiber Tips: Mechanisms, Fabrications, and Applications

  • Bobo Du,
  • Yunfan Xu,
  • Lei Zhang,
  • Yanpeng Zhang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16093596
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 9
p. 3596

Abstract

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Optical fiber tips with the flat end-facets functionalized take the special advantages of easy fabrication, compactness, and ready-integration among the community of optical fiber devices. Combined with plasmonic structures, the fiber tips draw a significant growth of interest addressing diverse functions. This review aims to present and summarize the plasmonic functionality of optical fiber tips with the current state of the art. Firstly, the mechanisms of plasmonic phenomena are introduced in order to illustrate the tip-compatible plasmonic nanostructures. Then, the strategies of plasmonic functionalities on fiber tips are analyzed and compared. Moreover, the classical applications of plasmonic fiber tips are reviewed. Finally, the challenges and prospects for future opportunities are discussed.

Keywords