Ultraviolet resonator integrated in a hollow-core fiber for Xenon plasma lasing

We integrate a cavity in a large-diameter hollow-core optical fiber based on inhibited coupling as a step towards realization of a fiber-integrated gas laser in the ultraviolet (UV) region. This is accomplished by attaching highly reflective photonic crystal (PC) membranes onto the ends of a fiber segment to form a Fabry-Perot cavity. The PC membranes are fabricated using e-beam lithography and reactive ion etching, which are then mounted on the fiber face using a micromanipulator stage. The presence of the PC holes allow for injection loading of atomic species into the fiber-cavity. Specifically, Xenon gas can be introduced through the perforated membrane into the hollow-core of the fiber to act as a gain medium for UV lasing when exposed to RF discharge.