A magnifying fiber element with an array of sub-wavelength Ge/ZnSe pixel waveguides for infrared imaging

We demonstrate an array of tapered Ge-core/ZnSe-cladding waveguides in a silica fiber matrix for infrared image transfer and a pixel magnification of 3.5× at 3.39µm and 10.64µm wavelengths. The structure was synthesized by a high-pressure chemical vapor deposition technique to deposit the semiconductor waveguides within the holes of a silica based microstructured optical fiber. The core/cladding structure reduces the optical propagation loss through the waveguides, and good isolation between the pixels is demonstrated. With further material improvements, these structures could be useful for applications such as infrared endoscopic imaging