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A Silicon-tipped Fiber-optic Sensing Platform with High Resolution and Fast Response
Published on: January 7, 2019
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Optical fiber tip acoustic resonator for hydrogen sensing
1Center for Photonics Technology, Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061-0111, USA. rachmaninov-ma@hotmail.com
Optics Letters
|June 16, 2010
Summary
This study presents a novel fiber-optic hydrogen sensor using a microscale acoustic resonator. The platinum-coated device detects hydrogen by measuring frequency shifts caused by catalytic heating, achieving high sensitivity.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemical Sensing
Background:
- Fiber-optic sensors offer remote and robust sensing capabilities.
- Microscale acoustic resonators can be sensitive to environmental changes.
- Hydrogen detection is crucial for safety and industrial processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a microscale acoustic resonator on a fiber tip as a hydrogen sensor.
- To investigate the sensor's performance and sensitivity to hydrogen.
- To utilize catalytic heating for hydrogen detection.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of the resonator using fiber cleaving, sputtering, FIB patterning, and wet etching.
- Coating vibration arms with a platinum layer for catalytic heating.
- Measuring acoustic resonance frequency shifts upon hydrogen exposure.
Main Results:
- A submicrometer platinum layer acted as a catalytic heater.
- Hydrogen exposure caused a measurable shift in the acoustic resonance frequency.
- A 1% hydrogen concentration resulted in a 1170.4 Hz frequency shift.
- The sensor demonstrated a sensitivity better than 0.1%.
Conclusions:
- The fiber-tip microscale acoustic resonator is a viable platform for hydrogen sensing.
- Catalytic heating by platinum is an effective mechanism for hydrogen detection.
- The developed sensor exhibits high sensitivity for hydrogen gas detection.
