Optical waveguide segments based on geometrically unbound photonic crystal fiber (PCF) designs could be exploited as building blocks to realize miniaturized complex devices that implement advanced photonic operations. Here, we show how to fabricate optical waveguide segments with PCF designs by direct high-resolution 3D printing and how the combination of these segments can realize complex photonic devices. We demonstrate the unprecedented precision and flexibility of our method by fabricating the first-ever fiber polarizing beam splitter based on PCFs. The device was directly printed in one step on the end-face of a standard single-mode fiber and was 210 µm long, offering broadband operation in the optical telecommunications C-band. Our approach harnesses the potential of high-resolution 3D printing and of PCF designs paving the way for the development of novel miniaturized complex photonic systems, which will positively impact and advance optical telecommunications, sensor technology, and biomedical devices.

中文翻译：

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基于光子晶体光纤设计的3D打印波导，用于复杂的光纤端光子设备

基于几何无约束光子晶体光纤（PCF）设计的光波导段可以用作构建模块，以实现实现高级光子操作的小型复杂设备。在这里，我们展示了如何通过直接高分辨率3D打印用PCF设计制造光波导段，以及这些段的组合如何实现复杂的光子器件。通过制造史上首个基于PCF的光纤偏振分束器，我们证明了我们方法的前所未有的精度和灵活性。该设备可以一步一步地直接印刷在标准单模光纤的端面上，长度为210 µm，可在光通信C波段中实现宽带操作。