Multimode interferometric sensor based on the no-core tellurite optical fiber for cryogenic temperature detection

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Optical Engineering
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Accurate cryogenic temperature monitoring is crucial for refrigeration and industrial processes.
• Existing sensors face limitations in sensitivity and applicability at extremely low temperatures.
• Tellurite optical fibers offer unique optical properties for sensing applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and demonstrate a no-core tellurite optical fiber (NCTOF)-based sensor for cryogenic temperature detection.
• To investigate the sensor's performance characteristics, including sensitivity, repeatability, and stability.
• To establish a reliable fabrication method for integrating NCTOF into a practical sensor structure.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a sandwich-like composite structure using NCTOF and silica fibers via ultraviolet adhesive (UVA) dual-curing.
• Experimental investigation of temperature sensing by monitoring transmission spectral shifts in the cryogenic range.
• Analysis of sensor performance metrics such as sensitivity, repeatability standard deviation, and wavelength error.

Main Results:

• Achieved high temperature sensitivity of 105.6 pm/°C in the -20-0 °C range and 51.6 pm/°C in the -20-25 °C range.
• Demonstrated excellent performance consistent with simulation analysis.
• Reported maximum repeatability standard deviation of 0.9799 pm/°C and stability wavelength error of 0.1676 nm.
• Confirmed the novelty of using tellurite optical fibers for cryogenic temperature detection.

Conclusions:

• The proposed NCTOF sensor provides a simple, cost-effective, and high-performance solution for cryogenic temperature detection.
• The UVA dual-curing method ensures reliable integration and practical application of tellurite optical fibers.
• The sensor shows significant potential for applications in food refrigeration, HVAC, medical, and industrial production.