Optofluidic apparatus, method, and application

An optofluidic switching method, comprising:

• inputting light into a core of a liquid core waveguide having a given propagation pathway that includes a steerable region;
• propagating the light in the liquid core waveguide;
• and
• coupling at least a portion of the light from the liquid core waveguide into a non-liquid core waveguide having a portion disposed in coupling proximity to the steerable region of the liquid core waveguide.

An optofluidic switching method, comprising:

• inputting light into a core of a liquid core waveguide having a given propagation pathway that includes a steerable region;
• propagating the light in the liquid core waveguide;
• providing at least a portion of a non-liquid core waveguide in coupling proximity to the steerable region of the liquid core waveguide;
• coupling at least a portion of the light from the steerable region of the liquid core waveguide into the non-liquid core waveguide;
• providing at least a portion of at least another one non-liquid core waveguide in a coupling proximity of the steerable region of the liquid core waveguide;
• steering the steerable region of the liquid core waveguide to at least one of a pathway that is not in coupling proximity to the non-liquid core waveguide or the at least another one non-liquid core waveguide and that is in coupling proximity to the at least another one non-liquid core waveguide;
• and,
• respectively, not coupling the light from the liquid core waveguide to either of the non-liquid core waveguide or the at least another one of the non-liquid core waveguide or, coupling at least a portion of the light from the liquid core waveguide into the at least another one of the non-liquid core waveguide.