2012/01/31 by Yi Yang, A. Q. Liu, L. K. Chin +6 · 2 citations
Computer Science · Materials Science · Physics and Astronomy · #Metamaterials and Metasurfaces Applications #Neural Networks and Reservoir Computing #Orbital Angular Momentum in Optics
paper · pdf · doi:10.1038/ncomms1662
openalex publication_date 2012/01/31 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Transformation optics represents a new paradigm for designing light-manipulating devices, such as cloaks and field concentrators, through the engineering of electromagnetic space using materials with spatially variable parameters. Here we analyse liquid flowing in an optofluidic waveguide as a new type of controllable transformation optics medium. We show that a laminar liquid flow in an optofluidic channel exhibits spatially variable dielectric properties that support novel wave-focussing and interference phenomena, which are distinctively different from the discrete diffraction observed in solid waveguide arrays. Our work provides new insight into the unique optical properties of optofluidic waveguides and their potential applications. By controlling the flow or composition of liquids, optofluidics provides numerous possibilities for devices, and so has great potential for transformation optics. Here, a multi-mode optofluidic waveguide is presented, which manipulates light to produce controllable chirped focussing and interference.