arXiv subjects

Ricardo E. da Silva

Publications and source records attributed to Ricardo E. da Silva.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Laser-pumped drilling carbon nanotube vortex shock waves in optical fibers

We experimentally demonstrate laser-induced vortex shock waves formed by carbon nanotubes drilling optical fibers for the first time. Three samples of standard single-mode optical fibers (SMF) are sequentially inserted in a syringe loaded with a 1 mL solution of single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) and methanol, and a high-power laser is injected into the fibers for 5 (SMF 1), 10 (SMF 2), and 20 (SMF 3) minutes. The CNT solution thermally expands and generates vortex acoustic flows, which are confined in the syringe cavity, significantly increasing the velocity and impact of nanotubes at the fiber tip. The resulting shock waves achieve estimated hypersonic velocities (5742 m/s) and high pressures (6.7 GPa), overcoming the silica tensile strength and ablating structured vortices in the fibers. The material, geometry, and depth profile of the vortices are characterized, providing details of mixing carbon and silica layers, increasing radially from the fiber core center and in thickness to the cladding for longer laser periods (850 nm to 10 micron thickness). The cross-sections of the measured vortices are compared to analytical simulations, revealing unprecedented Fibonacci helices drilling holes in the fiber core with a 5 micron maximum depth, while depositing nanoscale CNT-silica layers following Fibonacci spirals. These achievements point out a new route for laser-controlled deposition of nanoparticles and fabrication of vortex devices on fiber tips, which is promising for all-fiber vortex spatial phase modulators in optical communications, fiber sensors, high-power pulsed fiber lasers, and biomedical ultrasonic neurotransmitters.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2026

Ultrawide dynamic bandwidth modulation of an antiresonant nanoweb hollow-core fiber

We experimentally demonstrate an acoustically modulated antiresonant nanoweb hollow-core fiber (N-HCF) for the first time. The N-HCF contains two off-center air cores with a diameter difference of 5 microns, separated by a nanoweb of silica. We analytically simulate the influence of the N-HCF core diameter, cladding wall, and nanoweb thicknesses on the confinement losses, effective indices, and beatlengths of the guided fundamental (HE11) and higher-order modes (TE01, TM01), from 750 to 1200 nm. The phase-matching of the acoustic waves and modal beatlengths is also estimated and discussed. The fabricated 3.6 cm long acousto-optic device modulates record-wide bandwidths (up to 450 nm) while providing high modulation depths (up to 8 dB) at low drive voltages (10 V). Simulated and measured results provide useful insights for designing, modeling, and characterizing the N-HCF transmission spectrum and modulation performance. These achievements lead to highly efficient, compact, and fast all-fiber sensors and modulators promising for application in pulsed fiber lasers.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2025

Laser-Induced Deposition of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Suspended Core Optical Fibers

We experimentally demonstrate laser-driven deposition of single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in suspended core fibers (SCFs) for the first time. Two samples for each SCF type with three (SCF1) and four (SCF2) air holes are individually inserted in a syringe loaded with a 0.5 mL solution of CNTs dispersed in methanol, and a high-power laser at 980 nm is injected into the fibers during distinct periods: SCF1 (20 and 30 minutes), SCF2 (5 and 10 minutes). The CNT solution thermally expands, accelerating and depositing nanotubes on the fiber tip. The material and dimensions of the CNTs deposited on the SCFs' cross-section are characterized, revealing nanotube bundles increasing in thickness from the fiber core to the bridges and inside the holes. The average maximum CNT thickness widening the bridge edges is, respectively, for SCF1 (2.8 and 2 microns) and SCF2 (1.7 and 1.3 microns). These achievements are significant for nanoparticle deposition and fabrication of microscale devices on tips and inside specialty and hollow fibers, enabling innovative fiber sensors, mode-locked fiber lasers, in-fiber acousto-optic modulators, and broadband photoacoustic transmitters for imaging and neurostimulation.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2025

Laser-assisted deposition of carbon nanotubes in optical fibers with multiparameter control

We demonstrate a new method to deposit carbon nanotubes (CNT) on optical fibers based on a syringe-loaded CNT solution axially aligned to the fiber tip. A laser generates an optical tweezer in a water-based CNT solution, depositing nanotubes over the fiber cross-section. The parameters are adjusted, resulting in two deposited CNT layers with distinct thicknesses. This setup employs smaller solution volumes than those commonly used in beckers, providing high confinement, protection, and interaction of nanotubes, laser, and fiber, offering a promising alternative for real-time monitoring, which are significant to the development of industrial fiber lasers and biomedical optoacoustic devices.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2024

Widely tunable dual acousto-optic interferometric device based on a hollow core fiber

An all-fiber dual Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) based on an acoustically modulated hollow-core fiber (HCF) is experimentally demonstrated for the first time. By attaching an acoustic driver in between the fixed ends of an HCF, we fabricated two acousto-optic modulators (AOMs) with distinct driver positions, allowing for synchronizing two in-line MZIs inside the HCF. The first MZI is set by two acoustic long-period gratings separated by a second MZI formed at the fiber and driver attaching region. We show that this setup enables frequency-tuning of the coupling between the fundamental and higher-order modes in the HCF. Additionally, we simulate and analyze the HCF modal couplings and MZIs' modulated spectra under distinct device parameters using the transfer matrix method. The new AOM-MZI enables tuning of the MZIs free spectral range by adjusting 1 Hz of the electrical frequency, which is promising to modulate multiwavelength filters, sensors and fiber lasers.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2024

Highly efficient compact acousto-optic modulator based on a hybrid-lattice hollow core fiber

We demonstrate the acousto-optic modulation of a hybrid-lattice hollow core fiber (HL-HCF) for the first time. For many years, optical fibers with reduced diameters have been the main solution to increase the interaction of acoustic and optical waves. However, the high drive voltages and large modulator components still employed drastically affect the efficiency and miniaturization of these devices. Here, we experimentally show that combining Kagomé and tubular lattices in HL-HCFs allows for enhancing the amplification of the acoustic waves and the modulation of the guided optical modes thus providing high modulation efficiency even when using a fiber with a 240 um diameter. To the best of our knowledge, the measured HL-HCF's modulation efficiency (1.3 dB/V) is the highest compared to devices employing reduced diameter fibers. Additionally, we demonstrate a compact acousto-optic modulator with driver dimensions smaller than the HL-HCF diameter. Overall, our results show a promising alternative to solve the compromise of speed, efficiency, and compactness for integration with microscale all-fiber photonic devices.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2024

Highly efficient interaction of a tubular-lattice hollow-core fiber and flexural acoustic waves: design, characterization and analysis

The modulation efficiency of a tubular-lattice hollow-core fiber (HCF) by means of flexural acoustic waves is investigated in detail for the first time. The main acousto-optic properties of the HCF are evaluated employing 2D and 3D models based on the finite element method. The induced coupling of the fundamental and first higher-order modes is simulated in the wavelength range from 743 to 1355 nm. Significant acoustic (amplitude, period, strain, energy) and optical parameters (effective index, beat length, birefringence, coupling coefficient) are analyzed. The simulations are compared to experimental results, indicating higher modulation performance in HCFs compared to standard optical fibers. In addition, useful insights into the design and fabrication of all-fiber acousto-optic devices based on HCFs are provided, enabling potential application in tunable spectral filters and mode-locked fiber lasers.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2023

All-fiber broadband spectral acousto-optic modulation of a tubular-lattice hollow-core optical fiber

We demonstrate a broadband acousto-optic notch filter based on a tubular-lattice hollow-core fiber for the first time. The guided optical modes are modulated by acoustically induced dynamic long-period gratings along the fiber. The device is fabricated employing a short interaction length (7.7 cm) and low drive voltages (10 V). Modulated spectral bands with 20 nm half-width and maximum depths greater than 60 % are achieved. The resonant notch wavelength is tuned from 743 to 1355 nm (612 nm span) by changing the frequency of the electrical signal. The results indicate a broader tuning range compared to previous studies using standard and hollow-core fibers. It further reveals unique properties for reconfigurable spectral filters and fiber lasers, pointing to the fast switching and highly efficient modulation of all-fiber photonic devices.

physics.optics↗