Highly Amplified Broadband Ultrasound in Antiresonant Hollow Core Fibers

Abstract

High-frequency broadband ultrasound in nested antiresonant hollow core fibers (NANFs) is investigated for the first time. NANFs have remarkable features enabling high-resolution microscale optoacoustic imaging sensors and neurostimulators. Solid optical fibers have been successfully employed to measure and generate ultrasonic signals, however, they face issues concerning attenuation, limited frequency range, bandwidth, and spatial resolution. Herein, highly efficient ultrasonic propagation in NANFs from 10 to 100 MHz is numerically demonstrated. The induced pressures and sensing responsivity are evaluated in detail, and important parameters for the development of ultrasonic devices are reviewed. High pressures (up to 234 MPa) and sensing responsivities (up to −207 dB) are tuned over 90 MHz range by changing the diameters of two distinct NANF geometries. To the best of knowledge, this is the widest bandwidth reported using similar diameter fibers. The results are a significant advance for fiber-based ultrasonic sensors and transmitters, contributing to improve their efficiency and microscale spatial resolution for the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases in biomedical applications.