3D nano-printing is changing the field of photonics with the development of a miniaturized photonic lantern. This tiny device, a mere 100 micrometers in size, promises to redefine how we manipulate light waves for future high-speed communication and advanced imaging techniques.
Traditionally, manipulating light waves required bulky equipment that limited its application to high-end settings. This innovation offers a dramatic size reduction. The 3D printed photonic lantern can be directly printed onto fiber optic tips (or any other solid substrate) seamlessly integrating into existing systems. This compact design opens doors for wider adoption in various technological contexts.
Fiber optic core (left) and the 3D printed photonic lantern on the tip (right). (Image Credit: Yoav Dana)
This development holds the key to unlocking new levels of data transmission capacity in communication systems allowing the transfer of information at blazing speeds. The implications for the imaging world are equally exciting, as this technology paves the way for more powerful imaging modalities, potentially transforming various fields that rely on high-precision visual data.
The researchers are confident that this technology will be instrumental in developing future generations of optical communication and imaging systems. The miniaturization achieved through 3D nano-printing makes spatial manipulation of light waves more accessible and paves the way for exciting new possibilities in various technological areas.
You can read the research paper, titled “Free-Standing Microscale Photonic Lantern Spatial Mode (De-) Multiplexer Fabricated using 3D Nanoprinting” at this link.
Source: scienmag.com
