Highly Sensitive Temperature Fiber Sensor Based on Mach-Zehnder Interferometer

We propose a highly sensitive temperature fiber sensor based on a Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI). The MZI is composed of a piece of no-core fiber (NCF), a single-mode fiber (SMF), and a fiber taper (FT) structure. To accomplish high sensitivity, the component was immersed in a material with high thermo-optic coefficient (TOC). The experimental results showed that a high temperature sensitivity of 1.56 nm/°C was achieved for surrounding material with a refractive index (RI) of 1.45. The presented sensor has numerous advantages, for instance, extremely high sensitivity, easy fabrication, simple structure, compact size, and in-line applications.     

High sensitivity Mach–Zehnder interferometer sensors based on concatenated ultra-abrupt tapers on thinned fibers

This study proposes a simple, cost-effective method to fabricate fiber-based Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) sensors by concatenating two ultra-abrupt fiber tapers together using a fusion splicer. By concatenating, the taper diameter and length ratio is 1:1 that is much greater than that (1:10) by stretching. The refractive index sensitivity is comparable to the MZI sensors based on long-period fiber grating pairs or stretched fiber taper pairs. The MZI fiber claddings are etched to improve the sensitivity of refractive index measurements. The sensitivity is 664.57 nm/RIU (refractive index unit) for the refractive index ranging from 1.3348 to 1.3558, which is 2–6 times greater than those measured by long period fiber gratings (LPFGs) after sensitivity enhancement.     

Refractometer based on a tapered Mach–Zehnder interferometer with Peanut-Shape structure

A novel refractometer based on tapered Mach–Zehnder modal interferometer (MZI) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. This sensor is composed of a pair of Peanut-Shape structures and an embedded taper – the former excites high-order cladding modes, while the latter enhances the evanescent field. As the effective refractive index (RI) of cladding is based on the changes of surrounding RI, thus extinction ratio will change due to the alteration of the distribution of power in the fiber which is induced by various differences of core and cladding for RI. As a result, the maximum RI sensitivity of 240.78 extinction ratio/RIU (refractive index unit) is achieved within the range from 1.3334 to 1.4081.     

纤芯失配熔接的高灵敏度光纤折射率传感器

提出并实验验证了一种基于马赫泽德干涉仪(MZI)的高灵敏度光纤折射率(RI)传感器。传感头由一段单模光纤(SMF)夹熔在两段较短的细芯光纤(TCF)中组成TCF SMF-TCF结构,其总长度为9 mm。由于光纤纤芯失配导致的纤芯模和包层模发生干涉,干涉谱对传感头外部折射率的响应极其敏感。使用该传感器检测具有不同折射率的甘油水溶液,实验结果显示:传感器干涉谱的共振波长随环境折射率的增大向长波方向漂移,其折射率灵敏度在1.33 RIU～1.38 RIU范围内约为159 nm/RIU。该传感器具有结构简单、易于制造、成本较低、灵敏度高、抗电磁干扰能力强等优点,在生物化学与环境监测等领域具有较大的应用潜力。     

微纳光纤布拉格光栅折射率传感特性研究

利用光纤布拉格光栅方程和光纤基模有效折射率随纤芯半径和环境折射率的函数关系, 建立了微纳光纤布拉格光栅(MNFBG)反射波长随环境折射率变化的数学模型, 给出了波长灵敏度函数, 并指出MNFBG反射波长的变化规律决定于有效折射率随纤芯半径和环境折射率变化的关系. 详细探究了有效折射率及其灵敏度的变化规律, 结果表明: 有效折射率随纤芯半径和环境折射率的减小而非线性减小, 其对环境折射率变化的灵敏度随环境折射率的增大而非线性增加, 而且随纤芯半径减小, 有效折射率的灵敏度、线性度以及线性响应范围均呈递增规律. 通过对纤芯半径为0.5 μm的MNFBG在1.20–1.30和1.33–1.43 环境折射率范围内的波长响应关系拟合, 分别获得了477.33 nm/RIU和856.30 nm/RIU的波长灵敏度以及99.58 %和99.7%的高线性度, 论证了分析结论以及折射率区间划分测量方案的正确性, 为MNFBG折射率传感器的设计、优化以及应用提供了参考依据. 关键词： 微纳光纤 光纤布拉格光栅 折射率传感 数值模拟     

基于少模-无芯-少模光纤结构的高灵敏度折射率传感器

光纤折射率传感器广泛应用于各种复杂环境的监测。设计了一种基于少模光纤（fewmode fiber,FMF）–无芯光纤（coreless fiber,CLF）–FMF结构的高灵敏度折射率传感器。该传感器由2小段FMF之间熔接1段减薄的CLF组成马赫-增德尔干涉仪（Mach–Zehnder interference,MZI）,测量外界折射率,利用光纤布拉格光栅（fiber Bragg grating,FBG）进行温度补偿。MZI干涉光谱中的谐振波谷同时受折射率和温度影响,FBG只受温度的影响。利用MZI和FBG的折射率和温度灵敏度系数构建灵敏度矩阵,实现折射率和温度的同步测量。实验结果表明,MZI折射率灵敏度为345.66 nm/RIU,温度灵敏度为0.013 4 nm/℃;FBG的温度灵敏度为0.010 4 nm/℃。     

Refractive index sensor using microfiber-based Mach-Zehnder interferometer

A simple and robust refractive index (RI) sensor based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer has been demonstrated. A section of optical microfiber drawn from silica fiber is employed as the sensing arm. Because of the evanescent field, a slight change of the ambient RI will lead to the variation of the microfiber propagation constant, which will further change the optical length. In order to compensate the variation of the optical length difference, a tunable optical delay line (ODL) is inserted into the other arm. By measuring the delay of the ODL, the ambient RI can be simply demodulated. A high RI sensitivity of about 7159 μm/refractive index unit is achieved at microfiber diameter of 2.0 μm.     

The measurement of sucrose concentration by two-tapered all-fiber Mach–Zehnder interferometer employing different coupling structures and manufacture processes

The sucrose concentration measurement and characteristics of light coupling taper structure on sensitivity with various fabrication processes of taper structure for all-fiber Mach–Zehnder interferometer (AFMZI) are presented. Using fusion splicer with electrical discharge, the standard single-mode fiber is employed to be fabricated as conical coupling/decoupling taper structure. The basic two fabrication processes are designed as single fusion-stretching (SFS), multiple fusions without stretching (MF). The third advanced process is composed of SFS and multiple fusions without stretching processes, and called multiple fusions with single stretching (MFSS). Various types of coupling/decoupling taper structures were fabricated based on the three kinds of fabrication processes. The effects of geometry shape including taper waist, taper angle, and sensing length on sensing sensitivity of AFMZIs are estimated. The modifications of fiber core and cladding induced by thermal effect affect the refractive index distributions and shapes of taper structure. The effects of refractive index changes of fiber core and cladding on sensing sensitivity are also discussed. The AFMZI was tested by measuring aqueous sucrose solution of refractive index unit (RIU) from 1.333 to 1.420 RIU. The optical spectrums are measured by a spectrometer. The spectrum dip shifts and sensing sensitivity was measured and calculated, respectively. As shown in results, sensing sensitivities of AFMZIs of taper structure fabricated by MFSS and multiple fusions without stretching processing are generally higher than SFS. The reasons could be aimed on materials modification through thermal effect on blurring fiber core-cladding interface and proper taper angle of taper structure. The more homogeneous refractive index distribution on fiber core-cladding interface, the more detecting light power decoupled through core-cladding interface to interact with exterior environment and enhance the sensing sensitivity. Similarly, an appropriate taper angle also provides a better coupling/decoupling performance. The optimal sensitivities relative to low refractive index, high refractive index, and full refractive index range are 87.62, 133.55, and 104.20 nm/RIU, respectively, and the corresponding sensing length are 30, 50, and 30 mm, respectively, with taper angle of 25° and taper waist of 40 μm.     

可双参量同时测量的光纤磁场传感器

设计并制作了一种马赫-曾德尔干涉仪(Mach-Zehnder Interferometer,MZI)与光纤布喇格光栅级联的光纤磁场传感器,其中MZI由相当于分光器的锥结构和相当于耦合器的花生锥结构级联组成,封装在填充了磁流体的毛细管中.由于磁流体的有效折射率会随着外界磁场强度的改变而变化,故可通过观察干涉谱的特征波长的变化来测量外界磁场强度,而光纤布喇格光栅透射峰对磁场强度不敏感.当磁场强度由0mT变化到20mT时,马赫-曾德尔干涉峰的灵敏度为0.11nm/mT.温度特性实验测得马赫-曾德尔干涉峰和光纤布喇格光栅透射峰的温度灵敏度分别为0.401 5nm/℃和0.011 4nm/℃.因此,可利用敏感矩阵实现双参量同时测量.     

Microfiber Fabry-Perot interferometer fabricated by taper-drawing technique and its application as a radio frequency interrogated refractive index sensor

We propose a novel fiber Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) that incorporates a length of microfiber as its cavity and two fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) as reflectors. The microfiber FPI is simply fabricated by flame-heated taper-drawing the central spot of an FBG into a section of microfiber. Ambient refractive index (RI) influences the effective index of microfiber, and thus the free spectrum range of the microfiber FPI, resulting in RI sensing. A dual-wavelength fiber laser based on the microfiber FPI is constructed, enabling radio frequency interrogation with high resolution. RI sensitivity of 911 MHz/RIU is experimentally demonstrated for microfiber FPI with equivalent diameter of 1.455 μm. Simulation results indicate that the sensitivity can be further enhanced by reducing the diameter of the microfiber.     

Fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer based on microcavities for high-temperature sensing with high sensitivity

A high-temperature sensor based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) in a conventional single-mode optical fiber is proposed and fabricated by concatenating two microcavities separated by a middle section. A femtosecond laser is used to fabricate a microhole on the center of a fiber end. Then a micro-air-cavity is formed by splicing the microholed fiber end with a normal fiber end. The interferometer is applied for high-temperature sensing, in the range of 500-1200?°C, with a sensitivity of 109 pm/°C that, to the best of our knowledge, is highest in silica fiber temperature sensors. Also, the interferometer is insensitive to external refractive index (RI), which is desirable for temperature sensors.     

Compact microfiber Bragg gratings with high-index contrast

We fabricate fiber Bragg grating (FBG) in microfibers (MFs) using focused ion beam milling technique. By periodically etching 100 nm-depth grooves on the surface of silica MFs with diameters less than 2 μm, evident grating features with transmission dip up to 15 dB are obtained. Because of the high-index contrast of the gratings structure, the length of the microfiber Bragg grating (MFBG) can be reduced to 500 μm level. Using a 518 μm-length 1.8 μm-diameter MFBG, we also demonstrate sensitivity up to 660 nm per refractive index unit (RIU) for refractive index (RI) sensing. The highly compact MFBGs demonstrated here may serve as low-dimensional building blocks for miniaturized photonic components and devices.     

具有温度自校准功能的光纤折射率传感器

提出一种具有温度自校准功能的光纤折射率（RI）传感器,传感头结构由2段很短的多模光纤（MMF）之间夹熔一段对折射率不敏感的光纤布拉格光栅（FBG）构成,传感头总长度为14 mm,FBG可以为折射率测量提供良好的温度校准功能。实验结果证明,该传感器的折射率灵敏度为126 nm。其干涉光谱共振波长的温度灵敏度为35.09 pm/℃,用于温度校准的FBG的温度灵敏度为11.14 pm/℃。相比于普通的折射率传感器,这种具有温度自校准功能的折射率传感器具有良好的实用前景。     

A simple humidity sensor utilizing air-gap as sensing part of the Mach–Zehnder interferometer

A simple high-resolution refractive index (RI) and phase sensor has been demonstrated and the results numerically verified. A free space gap is employed in one arm of a Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) to serve as the sensing mechanism with a physical spacing of 1.4 mm. The propagation constant of transmitted light in the MZI’s gap changes due to the small variation in the ambient RI that will further shift the optical phase of the signal. A free space optical delay line is embedded within the MZI’s other arm to set the phase reference point and compensate for variations in the optical phase difference. The ambient RI is computed by measuring the phase shift in the transmission spectrum A high-resolution sensing of 0.8 pm/%RH corresponds to phase change of 0.012°/%RH has been achieved in 1520 nm.     

High-sensitivity, evanescent field refractometric sensor based on a tapered, multimode fiber interference

We propose and experimentally demonstrate an enhanced evanescent field fiber refractometer based on a tapered multimode fiber sandwiched between two single-mode fibers. Experiments show that this fiber sensor offers ultrahigh sensitivity [better than 1900 nm/RIU at a refractive index (RI) of 1.44] for RI measurements within the range of 1.33-1.44, in agreement with the theoretical predictions. This is the highest value reported to date (to our knowledge) in the literature.     

Hybrid Long-Period Fiber Grating with Multimode Fiber Core for Refractive Index Measurement

A refractive index(RI) sensor based on hybrid long-period fiber grating(LPFG) with multimode fiber core(MMFC) is proposed and demonstrated. The surrounding RI can be determined by monitoring the separation between the resonant wavelengths of the LPFG and MMFC since the resonant wavelengths of the LPFC and MMFC will shift in opposite directions when the surrounding RI changes. Fxperimental results show that the sensor possesses an enhanced sensitivity of 526.92 nm/RIU in the RI range of 1.387-1.394 RIU. The response to the temperature is also discussed.     

基于激光微加工的新型光纤法布里-珀罗折射率传感器

提出了一种新型的光纤法布里-珀罗(F-P)折射率传感器,该传感器由单模光纤头端面和靠近该端面的由157 nm激光加工而成的短空气腔构成.短空气腔两个端面的反射光和光纤头端面的反射光发生干涉形成了传感器的反射谱干涉条纹.干涉条纹的对比度受光纤头端面外部的折射率影响,在干涉条纹包络的波谷处具有最大的对比度,外部待测折射率可通过计算该处的对比度得到.传感器对温度不敏感同,测量范围广.在1.33至1.441范围内,折射率灵敏度约为27 dB,分辨率约为1.12X10-4;在1.45～1.62范围内.折射率灵敏度约为24 dB,分辨率约为1.26×10-4.     

Optical microfiber mode interferometer for temperature-independent refractometric sensing

We report on a functional optical microfiber mode interferometer and its applications for absolute, temperature-insensitive refractive index sensing. A standard optical fiber was tapered down to 10 μm. The central part of the taper, i.e., the microfiber, is connected to the untapered regions with two identical abrupt transitions. The transmission spectrum of our device exhibited a sinusoidal pattern due to the beating between modes. In our interferometer the period of the pattern-an absolute parameter-depends strongly on the surrounding refractive index but it is insensitive to temperature changes. The period, hence the external index, can be accurately measured by taking the fast Fourier transform (FFT) of the detected interference pattern. The measuring refractive index range of the device here proposed goes from 1.33 to 1.428 and the maximum resolution is on the order of 3.7×10(-6).     

Fiber refractometer based on a fiber Bragg grating and single-mode-multimode-single-mode fiber structure

A refractive index (RI) sensor based on a novel fiber structure that consists of a single-mode-multimode-single-mode (SMS) fiber structure followed by a fiber Bragg grating was demonstrated. The multimode fiber in the SMS structure excites cladding modes within output single-mode fiber (SMF) and recouple the reflected cladding Bragg wavelength to the input SMF core. By measuring the relative Bragg wavelength shift between core and cladding Bragg wavelengths, the RI can be determined. Experimentally we have achieved a maximum sensitivity of 7.33 nm/RIU (RI unit) at RI range from 1.324 to 1.439.     

基于空气孔微结构光纤的表面等离子体共振折射率传感器北大核心CSCD

提出了一种基于表面等离子体共振(SPR)效应增强的光子晶体光纤折射率传感器。该传感器结构通过光纤熔接机拼接光子晶体光纤(PCF),在光子晶体光纤中间引入一个空气孔形成PCF-空气孔-PCF的光纤传感结构,随后使用磁控溅射镀膜工艺在其表面沉积一层薄金膜制备而成。实验探究了折射率及温度对传感器的响应。结果表明,在1.333~1.389的折射率范围内,所提出的传感器的平均折射率灵敏度为2 142.52 nm,且测量线性度为0.981,品质因子约13.10。实验结果表明该传感器对温度不敏感。相比于无空气孔的PCF传感结构,引入的空气孔增强了SPR效应,使得传感器拥有良好的共振峰深度。得益于上述优势,该类型传感器有望在生物医学、环境监测等领域得到应用。