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Published on: April 26, 2014
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Simultaneous measurement of refractive index and temperature using multimode microfiber-based dual Mach-Zehnder
Optics Letters
|July 1, 2014
Summary
This study introduces a dual Mach-Zehnder interferometer using multimode microfiber for simultaneous refractive index and temperature sensing. The novel sensor design achieves high accuracy in multiparameter measurements.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Optical Sensing
- Interferometry
- Fiber Optic Sensors
Background:
- Accurate simultaneous measurement of refractive index (RI) and temperature is crucial in various scientific and industrial applications.
- Traditional sensors often face limitations in sensitivity and multiparameter discrimination.
- Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZIs) offer high sensitivity but often require complex configurations for multiparameter sensing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and demonstrate a novel dual Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) configuration for simultaneous measurement of refractive index (RI) and temperature.
- To leverage the unique properties of multimode microfiber (MMMF) for enhanced sensing capabilities.
- To achieve highly accurate and reliable multiparameter measurements using a compact optical setup.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a dual MZI sensor by integrating a section of multimode microfiber (MMMF) into the sensing arm of a standard MZI.
- Exploiting dual interference mechanisms within the MMMF: fundamental mode vs. high-order mode, and high-order mode vs. reference arm.
- Characterization of the sensor's response to changes in RI and temperature by analyzing spectral shifts.
Main Results:
- The dual MZI demonstrated distinct interference patterns arising from different mechanisms.
- The first interferometer (MMMF fundamental vs. high-order mode) achieved RI sensitivity of 2576.584 nm/RIU and temperature sensitivity of -0.193 nm/°C.
- The second interferometer (MMMF high-order mode vs. reference arm) achieved RI sensitivity of 1001.864 nm/RIU and temperature sensitivity of 0.239 nm/°C.
Conclusions:
- The proposed MMMF-based dual MZI enables simultaneous and accurate measurement of RI and temperature.
- The distinct sensitivities of the two interferometers allow for effective decoupling of the measured parameters.
- This sensor architecture offers a promising solution for advanced optical sensing applications requiring multiparameter detection.
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