Hydrogel fibers (HFs) have shown great potential for delivering light and sensing in vivo. However, HFs commonly suffer from high optical attenuation, which significantly affects their light-guiding efficiency and sensing performance. Here, we demonstrate a projection-suspended stereolithography (PSS) 3D printing method for fabricating low-loss HFs. Axially continuous and uniform HFs are produced via a light-curing area that floats on the precursor solution. Additionally, PSS improves the guiding efficiency of the HF by simultaneously regulating the fiber diameter, core–cladding structure, and refractive index. We obtained a loss of ≤0.15 dB/cm, which is better than that reported by previous studies. We also demonstrate that the fabricated HF provides light delivery and sensing capability in deep tissues, which will benefit the development of biomedicine and optogenetics. The PSS method heralds a novel fabrication for advanced waveguides.
Integrating bio-friendly optical hydrogel fibers (HFs) with solid-state fibers (SFs) could expand the horizons of fiber-optic technology for bio-photonics. However, methods for coupling HF and SF-based systems are inefficient due to the mode field mismatch. Here, a hydrogel fiber coupler with a taper core-cladding structure is demonstrated for efficiently coupling HF to SF and fabricated through suspended photocuring 3D printing. Coupling efficiencies of 8.3 and 9.4 dB are obtained at 632 and 473 nm, respectively, which are 22% better than those of conventional couplers. The working bandwidth covers visible wavelengths, satisfying bioengineering requirements. This research removes obstacles to optical fiber applications in bioscience.
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