Microfluidics

Microstructured optical fiber

Materials science

Mode volume

Whispering-gallery wave

Optical fiber

Fiber optic sensor

Wavelength

Optofluidics

Photonics

Laser

Physics

Nanotechnology

Optics

Resonator

Composite material

Optical cavity

Fiber

Polarization-maintaining optical fiber

Lasing threshold

Fiber laser

Optoelectronics

Laser & Photonics Review

Herein, recent progress in fiber optofluidic lasers and their applications in biochemical detection are reviewed. The unique properties of optical fibers are introduced for the development of optofluidic microlasers, including high quality factor, small mode volume, high aspect ratio, high reproducibility, and low cost. Optical fiber microresonators based on Fabry–Pérot cavity, microring resonator or photonic bandgap cavity are highlighted to provide optical feedback for optofluidic lasing. For applications, the capability of fiber optofluidic lasers is emphasized to perform biochemical analysis with ultrahigh sensitivity, fast response, high throughput, and disposable optical biodetection. The challenges and prospects for fiber optofluidic lasers are also discussed.

Fiber Optofluidic Microlasers: Structures, Characteristics, and Applications