Resonant THz sensor for paper quality monitoring using THz fiber Bragg gratings

We report fabrication of THz fiber Bragg gratings (TFBG) using CO(2) laser inscription on subwavelength step-index polymer fibers. A fiber Bragg grating with 48 periods features a ~4 GHz-wide stop band and ~15 dB transmission loss in the middle of a stop band. The potential of such gratings in the design of resonant sensors for the monitoring of paper quality is demonstrated. Experimental spectral sensitivity of the TFBG-based paper thickness sensor was found to be ~-0.67 GHz/10 μm. A 3D electromagnetic model of a Bragg grating was used to explain experimental findings.