Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026
09:48
Fiber Optic Distributed Sensors for High-resolution Temperature Field Mapping
Published on: November 7, 2016
12.1K
Highly Sensitive Temperature Sensor Based on Cascaded Polymer-Infiltrated Fiber Mach-Zehnder Interferometers
Jia He1,2, Fengchan Zhang1,2, Xizhen Xu1,2
1Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education/Guangdong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
Polymers
|September 9, 2022
Summary
A novel polymer-infiltrated Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) sensor achieves highly sensitive temperature measurements. This advanced sensor demonstrates a sensitivity of -24.86 nm/°C, crucial for various industrial applications.
Area of Science:
- Fiber optic sensing
- Nanophotonics
- Metamaterials
Background:
- Accurate temperature measurement is critical for biomedical, oceanographic, and photovoltaic fields.
- Existing sensors face limitations in sensitivity and accuracy for demanding applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and demonstrate a highly sensitive temperature sensor.
- To leverage cascaded polymer-infiltrated Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZIs) operating near the dispersion turning point.
Main Methods:
- Constructed MZIs by splicing graded index fiber (GIF) and single-mode fiber (SMF).
- Created an inner air cavity using femtosecond laser micromachining.
- Infiltrated the air cavity with UV-curable polymers with refractive indexes near the turning point.
Main Results:
- Achieved a temperature sensitivity of -24.86 nm/°C using wavelength differential detection.
- Investigated the impact of cavity length and SMF transmission path on sensor performance.
Conclusions:
- The cascaded MZI sensor offers enhanced temperature sensitivity.
- This technology shows significant promise for high-accuracy temperature measurements in critical industries.
