Microstructured optical fiber for multichannel sensing based on Fano resonance of the whispering gallery modes

We present the design and theoretical demonstration of a microstructured optical fiber (MOF) for multichannel sensing applications based on the Fano resonance among the different whispering-gallery modes (WGMs) propagating in the MOF. The proposed MOF consists of a number of capillary channels with different diameters inside a tubular frame. When the phases of the WGMs in the capillary channels and the frame are matched, the Fano resonance will occur and the resonant peaks can be observed in the output spectrum of the tubular frame resonator. Sensing signals from the individual channels can be detected by measuring the central wavelengths of the corresponding Fano resonant peaks. To demonstrate the practicality, we study a dual-channel MOF for bio-sensing applications, i.e., detecting the refractive index variation in biological samples. In the analysis, we have shown that channel 1 and 2 achieve a sensitivity of 29.0557 nm/RIU (refractive index unit) and 22.9160 nm/RIU in the TE mode; and 16.0694 nm/RIU and 13.3181 nm/RIU in the TM mode respectively, when the refractive index of the biological samples varies between 1.330 and 1.345. The new MOF can be a compact, flexible, and low-cost solution for a variety of applications including multichannel bio/chemical sensing, multi-microcavity laser, and tunable photonics devices.