Optical fiber with integrated microresonators and couplers
This technology provides a way to build tiny ring-shaped resonators and light-coupling structures directly inside a standard optical fiber, rather than attaching external components. The process uses an ultrafast laser to selectively damage specific spots inside the fiber, then chemically etches those spots away to carve out precise microscale shapes. A final heat treatment smooths the surfaces so light travels through them cleanly. The result is an optical fiber that has filtering, sensing, or signal-processing components built into it as a single integrated piece, with no splices or external assemblies.
What you could build
Specialty optical fiber with integrated sensing or filtering elements, sold to fiber optic sensor manufacturers, telecom component suppliers, or defense/aerospace photonics integrators who need compact, rugged in-line optical processing without discrete component assembly.
Who in Virginia should care
Northern Virginia and the Hampton Roads corridor host defense and intelligence contractors (Northrop Grumman, Leidos, Booz Allen) with active photonics and fiber sensing programs who could be early adopters or licensing partners.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Shuo YANG, Anbo WANG
- Granted
- May 12, 2026
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 12625323
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.