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A Silicon-tipped Fiber-optic Sensing Platform with High Resolution and Fast Response
Published on: January 7, 2019
Highly sensitive plasmonic sensor based on eccentric-core photonic crystal fibers.
Wanlai Zhu1, Feng Xu2, Zao Yi1,3
1Joint Laboratory for Extreme Conditions Matter Properties, Key Laboratory of Manufacturing Process TestingTechnology of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Energy Materials, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China. yizaomy@swust.edu.cn.
This study introduces an eccentric-core photonic crystal fiber (EC-PCF) sensor utilizing surface plasmon resonance (SPR) for enhanced performance. The novel EC-PCF design offers improved fabrication and high sensitivity for refractive index and temperature sensing applications.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Optical Sensing
- Materials Science
Background:
- Optical fiber sensors are crucial for various sensing applications.
- Fabrication complexity and performance limitations hinder widespread adoption.
- Integrating surface plasmon resonance (SPR) offers a pathway to enhanced sensing capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and investigate an eccentric-core photonic crystal fiber (EC-PCF) sensor for improved optical fiber sensing.
- To explore the integration of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) into EC-PCF for enhanced performance.
- To evaluate the influence of structural parameters on sensor characteristics and sensing performance.
Main Methods:
- Design and fabrication of an EC-PCF with gold film coating.
- Investigation of fundamental modes and surface plasmon polariton (SPP) modes.
- Analysis of structural parameters (gold film, air hole, eccentricity) on confinement loss.
- Experimental validation for refractive index (RI), kerosene concentration, and temperature sensing.
Main Results:
- Achieved a high refractive index (RI) sensitivity of 31.25 μm/RIU and a figure of merit (FOM) of 521.6/RIU.
- Demonstrated a refractive index resolution of 3.2 × 10-6 RIU.
- Successfully detected kerosene concentration in adulterated gasoline and measured temperature via PDMS coating.
Conclusions:
- The developed EC-PCF sensor exhibits excellent sensing performance with significant manufacturing advantages.
- This design provides a novel and easily fabricated structural concept for advanced optical fiber sensing.
- The sensor shows promise for practical applications in chemical and temperature monitoring.
