Ethanol Measurement Using Hetero-Core Structured Optical Fiber Covered with Layer-By-Layer Thin Film

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Optical Engineering
• Chemical Sensing

Background:

• Accurate ethanol measurement is crucial in various industries.
• Existing ethanol sensing methods may have limitations in sensitivity or applicability.
• Optical fiber sensors offer potential for non-destructive and sensitive detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a novel optical fiber sensor for ethanol detection.
• To investigate the sensing mechanism based on layer-by-layer thin film interaction with ethanol.
• To demonstrate the sensor's applicability for measuring ethanol content in spirits.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a hetero-core structured optical fiber sensor.
• Coating the fiber with a layer-by-layer (LbL) thin film using poly (allylamine hydrochloride) and poly styrene sulfonate.
• Measuring changes in propagating light intensity in response to varying ethanol concentrations in ethanol/water solutions.
• Testing the sensor's performance with various types of spirits.

Main Results:

• The LbL thin film exhibited contraction upon exposure to ethanol.
• Increased ethanol concentration led to a decrease in propagating light intensity.
• The refractive index change of the LbL film contributed to light leakage at the hetero-core.
• The sensor successfully measured ethanol concentrations in different spirits.

Conclusions:

• The developed optical fiber sensor demonstrates effective ethanol sensing capabilities.
• The LbL film's response to ethanol concentration is a viable sensing mechanism.
• This sensor technology shows promise for practical applications in analyzing alcoholic beverages.