Ultrahigh-sensitivity temperature sensor based on an elastic TPU capillary whispering gallery resonator

Area of Science:

• Photonics and optical sensing
• Materials science
• Micro-optics

Background:

• Whispering-gallery mode (WGM) microcavities offer high sensitivity for sensing applications.
• Developing highly sensitive and robust temperature sensors is crucial for various scientific and industrial fields.
• Elastic materials present unique opportunities for novel microcavity designs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and fabricate an ultrahigh sensitivity temperature sensor.
• To investigate the performance of a thermoplastic urethane (TPU) capillary WGM microcavity for temperature sensing.
• To leverage the unique properties of elastic materials for enhanced sensor sensitivity.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a dye-doped TPU capillary WGM microcavity using thin film assembly and wet etching.
• Integration of sealed fused silica capillaries to confine air and enhance thermal response.
• Characterization of the microcavity's response to temperature variations.

Main Results:

• The developed sensor utilizes an elastic TPU capillary WGM microcavity.
• The sensor demonstrated an ultrahigh temperature sensitivity of 11.28 nm/°C.
• The design effectively utilizes the thermal expansion properties of the elastic TPU capillary.

Conclusions:

• An ultrahigh sensitivity temperature sensor based on an elastic TPU capillary WGM microcavity has been successfully demonstrated.
• The sensor design offers a promising platform for advanced temperature monitoring applications.
• The combination of WGM microcavity and elastic material provides a significant advancement in sensor technology.