Fluorescence excitation on tapered polymer optical fibers through microfiber evanescent field

Abstract

In this work, we show the feasibility of using the evanescent field of a microfiber to excite the fluorescence of a fluorophore deposited on the surface of a polymer optical fiber. The fluorescence intensity gathered by the polymer optical fiber from the emitted on its surface has been measured for several gaps with the excitation fiber, showing a remarkable influence of the evanescent field at distances as high as 2.5mm. A further development of a device based on wrapping the microfiber around the polymer one has been measured, proving a more efficient fluorescence excitation.