High-sensitivity Mach-Zehnder interferometer temperature sensor based on a no-core optical fiber with a large lateral...

Area of Science:

• Optoelectronics
• Fiber Optics
• Biomedical Sensing

Background:

• Accurate temperature monitoring is crucial for cell culture.
• Existing methods may lack precision or stability.
• Fiber optic sensors offer potential for enhanced thermal measurement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and demonstrate an innovative fiber optic temperature sensor.
• To utilize Mach-Zehnder interference for precise thermal detection.
• To evaluate the sensor's performance for cell culture applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer by splicing no-core fiber (NCF) between single-mode fibers (SMFs) with core offset.
• Utilizing the refractive index change of an ethanol-filled gap for mode interference.
• Optimizing NCF length through simulation for desired free spectral range (FSR).

Main Results:

• Achieved a high temperature sensitivity of 5.3574 nm/°C in the 30-36 °C range.
• Demonstrated a compact sensor structure with high repeatability and stability.
• Validated the sensor's effectiveness for precise thermal measurement in cell culture.

Conclusions:

• The developed NCF-based Mach-Zehnder interferometer is a highly effective temperature sensor.
• Its compact design, stability, and sensitivity make it suitable for cell culture monitoring.
• This sensor represents a versatile tool for precise thermal measurements in biological applications.