Abstract
A finite element analysis (FEA) model has been constructed to predict the thermo-fluidic and optical properties of a microstructure optical fiber (MOF) accounting for changes in external temperature, input water velocity and optical fiber geometry. Modeling a water laminar flow within a water channel has shown that the steady-state temperature is dependent on the water channel radius while independent of the input velocity. There is a critical channel radius below which the steady-state temperature of the water channel is constant, while above, the temperature decreases. However, the distance required to reach steady state within the water channel is dependent on both the input velocity and the channel radius. The MOF has been found capable of supporting multiple modes. Despite the large thermo-optic coefficient of water, the bound modes’ response to temperature was dominated by the thermo-optic coefficient of glass. This is attributed to the majority of the light being confined within the glass, which increased with increasing external temperature due to a larger difference in the refractive index between the glass core and the water channel.
Highlights
Microfluidics is a multidisciplinary field concerned with the design and application of the transport of small volumes of fluids, typically of the order of nano- to femto-liters
This section outlines the basic theory that the finite element analysis (FEA) analysis employs in the microstructure optical fiber (MOF) investigation
In the steady-state region of the MOF, the temperature distribution results in the fiber geometry being v Text
Summary
Microfluidics is a multidisciplinary field concerned with the design and application of the transport of small volumes of fluids, typically of the order of nano- to femto-liters. MOFs consist of a waveguide(s) surrounded by a series of holes, which have radii of the order of a micrometers This makes them of particular interest, whereby a fluid, transported in the holes surrounding the core can interact with the guided mode of the fiber [1,2,3,4]. Given the development of new types of MOFs with cross-sections containing circular, or elliptical holes, or more complex cross-sectional geometries, it is important to be able to model the fluid transport capabilities of these fiber types. This becomes ever more important as advanced infusion and infiltration methods are realized.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
