Multichannel Integrated Fiber-Optic End-Face Sensor for Deuterium Detection from Hydrogen Via Flow-Temperature...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Optical Engineering

Background:

• Isotope gas separation and sensing are critical in various scientific and industrial fields.
• Porous materials offer unique adsorption properties for selective gas interactions.
• Optical fiber sensing provides a versatile platform for remote and in-situ measurements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop the first optical fiber-based sensor for selective deuterium (D2) detection in the presence of hydrogen (H2).
• To integrate simultaneous sensing of temperature, flow velocity, and gas concentration into a single fiber optic device.
• To leverage advanced materials and optical principles for enhanced gas sensing performance.

Main Methods:

• Design and fabrication of a novel three-core fiber (TCF) end-face sensor with integrated microtips and a plasmonic metasurface.
• Utilizing two Fabry-Pérot (FP) cavities formed by glass and polymer microprobes for flow velocity and temperature sensing, respectively.
• Coating the metasurface with a hybrid material (palladium nanoparticles on crystalline porous organic framework - Pd-COF) for selective H2/D2 adsorption.

Main Results:

• The sensor successfully achieved simultaneous measurement of temperature, flow velocity, and gas concentration.
• High selectivity for D2 detection in H2 was demonstrated, with a D2/H2 separation factor of approximately 12.04.
• Optimal sensing conditions identified at 0.6 m/s flow rate and 80 °C, yielding a D2 detection sensitivity of 0.183 nm/ppm.

Conclusions:

• The developed optical fiber sensor represents a significant advancement in isotope gas sensing technology.
• The integration of selective adsorption materials and optical cavities enables precise D2 detection and separation.
• This work expands the application scope of optical fiber sensing for environmental regulation and isotope analysis.