DOI: 10.5061/dryad.bg79cnpgp
title: Data for: A coupled optical waveguides system in a fluidic medium that elucidates different parity-time-symmetric phases

description: This research introduces a novel methodology of harnessing liquids to
 facilitate the realization of parity-time (PT)- symmetric optical
 waveguides on highly integrated microscale platforms. Additionally, we
 propose a realistic and detailed fabrication process flow, demonstrating
 the practical feasibility of fabricating our optofluidic system, thereby
 bridging the gap between theoretical design and actual implementation.
 Extensive research has been conducted over the past two decades on
 PT-symmetric systems across various fields, given their potential to
 foster a new generation of compact, power-efficient sensors and signal
 processors with enhanced performance. Passive PT-symmetry in optics can be
 achieved by evanescently coupling two optical waveguides and incorporating
 an optically lossy material into one of the waveguides. The essential
 coupling distance between two optical waveguides in air is usually less
 than 500 nm for nearinfrared wavelengths and under 100 nm for ultraviolet
 wavelengths. This necessitates the construction of the coupling region via
 expensive and time-consuming electron beam lithography, posing a
 significant manufacturing challenge for the mass production of
 PT-symmetric optical systems. We propose a solution to this fabrication
 challenge by introducing liquids capable of dynamic flow between optical
 waveguides. This technique allows the attainment of evanescent wave
 coupling with coupling gap dimensions compatible with standard
 photolithography processes. Consequently, this paves the way for the
 cost-effective, rapid and large-scale production of PT-symmetric
 optofluidic systems, applicable across a wide range of fields.
description: # Data for: A coupled optical waveguides system in a fluidic medium that
 elucidates different parity-time-symmetric phases Instructions for Data
 Plotting: Figures 4, 7, 9, and 10 The following details pertain to the
 datasets used to generate Figures 4, 7, 9, and 10: Figure 4.xlsx: Plot the
 2nd column, "Coupling Strength" (in mm-1), against the 1st
 column, "Coupling Gap, d" (in microns). Figure 7.xlsx: Plot the
 2nd column, "Loss" (in mm-1), against the 1st column, which
 represents the "Width of the Lossy Material" (in nanometers).
 Figure 9a.xlsx: Plot the 2nd column, "Normalized Transmission"
 (unitless), against the 1st column, "Loss" (in mm-1). Figure
 9b.xlsx: Plot columns 2 to 7, representing "Normalized
 Transmissions" (unitless), against the 1st column, "Normalized
 Propagation Distance" (unitless). Figure 10a.xlsx: Plot the 2nd
 column, representing the "Evanescent Field Ratio of the Coupled
 Waveguide System" (unitless), against the 1st column,
 "Loss" (in mm-1). Figure 10b.xlsx: Plot columns 2 to 7,
 representing the "Evanescent Field Ratio of the Coupled Waveguide
 System" (unitless), against the 1st column, "Normalized
 Propagation Distance" (unitless). Figure 10c.xlsx: Plot columns 2 to
 5, which showcase the "Evanescent Field Ratio of the Coupled
 Waveguide System" ranging from 52% to 55% (unitless), against the 1st
 column, "Normalized Propagation Distance" (unitless).