Layer-by-layer assembled-composite nanocoating for functionalization of microstructured optical fibers

Abstract

Hollow-core microstructured optical fibers (MOFs) possess the great potential for the integration of different materials inside the holey-capillaries leading to the creation of tailored hybrid structures. Moreover, the further improvement of MOF-based sensor performance can be achieved by exploiting the wide range of post-processing techniques directing to both the enhancement of the existing characteristics and the enabling of new functionalities. Here, we concentrate on hybrid MOFs whose hollow-capillaries were coated through the layer-by-layer assembly technique by a combination of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes and magnetite nanoparticles. We characterize the optical transmission and the fiber loss of the modified samples and show the scanning electron microscopy images illustrating the formed coatings on the inner fiber surfaces.