Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 29, 2026
08:32
Development of Whispering Gallery Mode Polymeric Micro-optical Electric Field Sensors
Published on: January 29, 2013
14.4K
Micro/Nanofibre Optical Sensors: Challenges and Prospects.
Limin Tong1,2
1State Key Lab of Modern Optical Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China. phytong@zju.edu.cn.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 6, 2019
Summary
Micro/nanofibres (MNFs) offer unique optical properties for highly sensitive and versatile optical sensing. This tutorial reviews MNF optics, sensors, and their future prospects in the field.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Optical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Sensor Technology
Background:
- Micro/nanofibres (MNFs) possess sub-wavelength diameters, enabling unique light-matter interactions.
- Their core-cladding index contrast allows for engineerable waveguiding properties like optical confinement and evanescent fields.
- Glass MNFs offer atomic-level surface uniformity for high-sensitivity sensing, while polymer MNFs serve as hosts for functional materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce the fundamental principles of micro/nanofibre optics and optical sensors.
- To review the current advancements and status of micro/nanofibre-based sensing technologies.
- To discuss the challenges and future outlook for micro/nanofibre optical sensors.
Main Methods:
- Review of micro/nanofibre optical principles and waveguiding characteristics.
- Analysis of evanescent field interactions for sensing applications.
- Discussion on material properties (glass vs. polymer) influencing sensor performance.
Main Results:
- MNFs provide engineerable waveguiding, including optical confinement and large fractional evanescent fields.
- Glass MNFs excel in high-sensitivity sensing due to surface uniformity and low loss.
- Polymer MNFs are suitable hosts for functional materials, enabling fast-response sensing.
Conclusions:
- Micro/nanofibre optical sensors offer high sensitivity and versatility for micro/nanoscale applications.
- Further research into challenges and prospects will drive future advancements in MNF sensing technology.
- MNFs represent a promising platform for next-generation optical sensing solutions.
Related Concept Videos
02:24Properties of Enantiomers and Optical Activity
21.7K
It is essential to understand the difference between chiral and achiral interactions and the implications thereof in optical activity and their applications. Just as our feet, which are chiral, interact uniquely with chiral objects, such as a pair of shoes, but identically with achiral socks, enantiomers of a molecule exhibit different properties only when they interact with other chiral media. An example of a significant implication from this facet is the phenomenon known as optical activity,...
21.7K
01:18Imaging Biological Samples with Optical Microscopy
10.1K
Optical microscopy uses optic principles to provide detailed images of samples. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek designed the first compound optical microscope in the 17th century to visualize blood cells, bacteria, and yeast cells. In 1830, Joseph Jackson Lister created an essentially modern light microscope. The 20th century saw the development of microscopes with enhanced magnification and resolution.
In optical microscopy, the specimen to be viewed is placed on a glass slide and clipped on the stage...
In optical microscopy, the specimen to be viewed is placed on a glass slide and clipped on the stage...
10.1K
01:19Ion Channels
91.4K
The movement of ions like sodium, potassium, and calcium into and out of the cell is essential to maintain the electrochemical gradient in living cells. The ion channels—a class of membrane transport proteins—help maintain this ionic gradient for the smooth functioning of physiological activities such as maintaining cell size and volume, conducting nerve impulses, and gas and nutrient exchange.
Ion channels are specialized integral membrane proteins on the plasma membrane that allow...
Ion channels are specialized integral membrane proteins on the plasma membrane that allow...
91.4K
01:56Riboswitches
9.7K
Riboswitches are non-coding mRNA domains that regulate the transcription and translation of downstream genes without the help of proteins. Riboswitches bind directly to a metabolite and can form unique stem-loop or hairpin structures in response to the amount of the metabolite present. They have two distinct regions – a metabolite-binding aptamer and an expression platform.
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
9.7K
02:52Stereoisomerism
14.0K
Isomerism in Complexes
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula.
Transition metal complexes often exist as geometric isomers, in which the same atoms are connected through the same types of bonds but with differences in their orientation in space. Coordination complexes with two different ligands in the cis and trans positions from a ligand of interest form isomers. For example, the octahedral [Co(NH3)4Cl2]+ ion has two isomers (Figure 1) In the cis...
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula.
Transition metal complexes often exist as geometric isomers, in which the same atoms are connected through the same types of bonds but with differences in their orientation in space. Coordination complexes with two different ligands in the cis and trans positions from a ligand of interest form isomers. For example, the octahedral [Co(NH3)4Cl2]+ ion has two isomers (Figure 1) In the cis...
14.0K
00:56Attribution Theory
13.8K
Behavior is a product of both the situation (e.g., cultural influences, social roles, and the presence of bystanders) and of the person (e.g., personality characteristics). Subfields of psychology tend to focus on one influence or behavior over others. Situationism is the view that our behavior and actions are determined by our immediate environment and surroundings. In contrast, dispositionism holds that our behavior is determined by internal factors (Heider, 1958).
13.8K