Novel multicore structures

Tube with many rods on the left side and microcope picture of multicore fibre on the left side Tube with many rods on the left side and microcope picture of multicore fibre on the left side Tube with many rods on the left side and microcope picture of multicore fibre on the left side
Manufacturing of multicore fibres: from stacked preform (left) to multicore fibre (right)

Multicore fibres with thousands of cores are a well-established technology in endoscopy. They transfer 2D intensity images from the distal to the proximal fiber end. However, a 3D imaging or light-field control becomes only possible, if not only the intensity but also the phase is recorded or controlled. This so-called lens-less endoscopy is of outstanding interest for various applications, e.g. in biomedicine. Traditional multicore fibres have periodic core layouts and are quite sensitive to bending variations. The periodic layout leads to unwanted coherent side-lobes if the 3D light field at the distal end is controlled remotely from the proximal end. Thus, we are working on novel aperiodic multicore designs, which will even be insensitive to bending variations. A particular goal of us will be to develop a scalable productions process that can be scaled to very large multicore designs. In addition, we are investigating strategies to suppress the core-to-core power coupling - a goal which will also be of relevance for future telecommunication concepts based on multicore fibres.

Current projects

EndoImprint - Leibniz Young Investigator Grant

Previous projects

HoloScope - needle-shaped lensless holographic endoscope

Publications on this topic

Stephan, R.; Steinke, M.; Rühl, A.; Kuschmierz, R.; Hausmann, K.; Ließmann, M.; Ristau, D.; Czarske, J. (2021): Design studies of aperiodic multicore fibres for lensless endoscopyEuropean Conferences on Biomedical Optics 2021 (ECBO), OSA Technical Digest (Optica Publishing Group, 2021), paper ETu2A.30
ISBN: 978-1-943580-95-8

Stephan, R.; Scharf, E.; Zolnacz, K.; Hausmann, K.; Liessmann, M.; Kötters, L.; Czarske, J.; Ristau, D.; Kuschmierz, R.; Steinke, M. (2022): Scalable fabrication of twisted aperiodic multicore fibers for next-generation lens-less endoscopyEurophoton 2022, Hannover, Poster THU-P-2.5

Scharf, E.; Kuschmierz, R.; Stephan, R.; Steinke, M.; Czarske, J. (2022): Needle-size fibre endoscope with 3D printed DOEs for minimally invasive procedures in biomedicineProceedings Volume PC12144, Biomedical Spectroscopy, Microscopy, and Imaging II; PC121440L, oral presentation
DOI: 10.1117/12.2620319

Kuschmierz, R.; Scharf, E.; Dremel, J.; Zolnacz, K.; Stephan, R.; Steinke, M.; Ristau, D.; Czarske, J. (2023): 3D micro-endoscopy enabled by 2-photon polymerization and advanced fiber design (Conference Presentation)Proc. SPIE PC12388, Adaptive Optics and Wavefront Control for Biological Systems IX, PC123880C (16 March 2023)
DOI: 10.1117/12.2651436

Scharf, E.; Stephan, R.; Zolnacz, K.; Steinke, M.; Kuschmierz, R.; Czarske, J. (2023): Lensless Single-Shot Endoscopy with Needle-Thin Multicore Fiber Bundles enabled by 2PP 3D Printing on the Fiber TipOptica Imaging Congress (3D, COSI, DH, FLatOptics, IS, pcAOP), Technical Digest Series (Optica Publishing Group, 2023), paper IM3E.2
DOI: 10.1364/ISA.2023.IM3E.2
ISBN: 978-1-957171-28-9

Stephan, R.; Scharf, E.; Żołnacz, K.; Hausmann, K.; Ließmann, M.; Reihle, H.; Kötters, L.; Czarske, J. W.; Ristau, D.; Kuschmierz, R.; Steinke, M. (2023): Advanced multicore fibers for 3D micro-endoscopy (Conference Presentation)Proc. SPIE 12573, Specialty Optical Fibres, 125730O (30 May 2023)
DOI: 10.1117/12.2665563

Kroll, M.; Thiele, T.; Scharf, E.; Stephan, R.; Steinke, M.; Czarske, J.; Kuschmierz, R.; Dremel, J. (2024): Fabrication of holograms on optical fibers via femtosecond laser techniquesProc. SPIE PC12873, Laser-based Micro- and Nanoprocessing XVIII, PC128730G (13 March 2024)
DOI: 10.1117/12.3002865

Contact

Dr. Michael Steinke
Address
Callinstraße 36
30167 Hannover
Building
Room
232
Address
Callinstraße 36
30167 Hannover
Building
Room
232