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Published on: August 30, 2012
A microfluidic refractometric sensor based on gratings in optical fibre microwires
Fei Xu1, Gilberto Brambilla, Yanqing Lu
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, P. R. China.
Optics Express
|December 10, 2009
Summary
This study introduces a new method for creating gratings in optical fiber microwires by wrapping them around a microstructured rod. This technique enables high-sensitivity microfluidic sensors with potential applications in various sensing fields.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Optical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Sensor Technology
Background:
- Optical fiber gratings are crucial for sensing applications.
- Existing fabrication methods for gratings in microwires can be complex and require post-processing.
- Microstructured rods offer potential for novel grating fabrication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel, simplified method for manufacturing gratings in optical fiber microwires.
- To explore the application of these gratings in high-sensitivity sensing.
- To demonstrate the tunability of grating properties through microstructured rod design.
Main Methods:
- Manufacturing gratings by wrapping an optical fiber microwire around a custom-designed microstructured rod.
- Utilizing the air hole geometry of the microstructured rod to control grating chirp.
- Exploiting the evanescent field within an inner channel for sensing.
Main Results:
- Successful fabrication of gratings in optical fiber microwires without post-processing.
- Demonstrated flexibility in creating chirped gratings by adjusting microstructured rod design.
- Achieved high sensitivity (> 10^3 nm/RIU) in microfluidic refractometric sensors.
Conclusions:
- The novel wrapping method provides an efficient and flexible approach to grating fabrication in optical fiber microwires.
- This technique facilitates the development of advanced microfluidic refractometric sensors with enhanced sensitivity.
- The method holds promise for diverse sensing applications leveraging optical fiber technology.
