1-m tunable optical delay line using microfluid sliding in a hollow-core fiber: Feasibility study

A novel variable optical delay line based on a hollow-core photonic bandgap fiber is proposed. The device incorporates microfluid, the end surface of which serves as an optical reflector, in the hollow-core of the fiber. The position of the fluid end is controlled by a syringe pump to change the optical delay of the reflected beam. We demonstrate wide tunability of the optical delay up to 1 m with a scan speed of several mm/s. The return loss and beat pattern in the reflected signal is studied and the potential of the device as an ultra-long delay line is discussed.