Numerical analysis of plasmon polarition refractive index fiber sensors with hollow core and a long period grating

The main principle of this design is based on the efficient energy transfer between the waveguide mode (WM) and the co-directional SPP provided by a properly designed fiber long period grating (LPG). This LPG is imprinted into a waveguide fiber layer of a specially designed hollow core optical fiber. The simulations are based on the finite element method (FEM) algorithm in electromagnetics and coupled mode theory for gratings. Compared to the previous proposed structure using a fiber Bragg grating (FBG), this novel kind of sensor can greatly enhance the refractive index sensitivity, e.g., from 5.93 nm/RIU (with FBG) to 817 nm/RIU (with LPG) at the sensing refractive index of 1.40. The other advantage is that the working conditions can be performed for the well-developed telecom wavelength windows 1500-1600 nm.     

All polymer asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer waveguide sensor by imprinting bonding and laser polishing

We present an all polymer asymmetric Mach–Zehnder interferometer(AMZI) waveguide sensor based on imprinting bonding and laser polishing method. The fabrication methods are compatible with high accuracy waveguide sensing structure. The rectangle waveguide structure of this sensor has three sensing surfaces contacting the test media, and its sensing accuracy can be increased 5 times compared with that of one surface sensing structure. An AMZI device structure is designed. The single mode condition, the length of the sensing arm, and the length deviation between the sensing arm and the reference arm are optimized. The length deviation is optimized to be 19.8 μm in a refractive index range between1.470 and 1.545. We fabricate the AMZI waveguide by lithography and wet etching method. The imprinting bonding and laser polishing method is proposed and investigated. The insertion loss is between-80.36 dB and-10.63 dB. The average and linear sensitivity are 768.1 d B/RIU and 548.95 dB/RIU, respectively. And the average and linear detection resolution of the sensor are 1.30×10~(-6) RIU(RIU: refractive index unit) and 1.82×10~(-5) RIU, respectively. This sensor has a fast and cost-effective fabrication process which can be used in the cases of requiring portability and disposability.     

Design of a highly sensitive photonic crystal waveguide platform for refractive index based biosensing

In this paper, a photonic crystal waveguide platform on silicon-on-insulator substrate is proposed in order to realize a highly sensitive refractive index based biosensor. Following the design, the analysis of the sensor structure are made by using the three dimensional Finite Difference Time Domain method. The principle of sensing is based on the change in refractive index, which in turn changes the output spectrum of the waveguide. Results show that the sensitivity of the sensor depends mainly on the geometrical properties of the defect region of the photonic crystal structure. The phenomenon is verified for various samples having refractive index ranging from 1 (air) to 1.57 (Bovine serum albumin). Further, the structure is compared with few other conventional photonic crystal waveguide designs to analyze the sensing performance. The estimated value of sensitivity of the sensor is found to be 260 nm/RIU with a detection limit of 0.001 RIU. This high sensitivity can enhance the performance of low-concentration analytes detection.     

基于无芯光纤的多参数测量传感器

设计并制作了一种基于单模-无芯-单模-无芯-单模光纤结构的马赫-曾德尔传感器,可用来同时测量折射率和温度.该传感器中,两处无芯光纤充当输入、输出耦合器,中间单模光纤作为传感臂.利用有限元仿真和理论分析,确定耦合器和传感臂的最优长度为15 mm.在无芯光纤中激发出的高阶模进入单模光纤的包层传输,由于倏逝场的作用,受到环境折射率和温度的影响.选取透射谱不同干涉级次的波谷作为研究对象,实现了折射率和温度的同步测量.实验结果表明:1545 nm附近干涉谷的折射率和温度灵敏度分别为–153.89 nm/RIU(refractive index unit)和0.166 nm/℃;1570 nm附近干涉谷的折射率和温度灵敏度分别为–202.74 nm/RIU和0.183 nm/℃.该传感器在实现折射率和温度同步测量的同时,仍能保持较高灵敏度,在生物医疗等方面有着较好的应用前景.     

基于表面等离子体共振和定向耦合的D形光子晶体光纤折射率和温度传感器

利用光子晶体光纤结构的灵活性和性能的优越性, 设计了一种基于D形光子晶体光纤的折射率和温度传感器. 在D形光子晶体光纤表面抛磨并镀上金纳米薄膜, 作为表面等离子体共振传感通道用来测量液体折射率; 在包层的一个空气孔中填充温敏液体甲苯, 作为定向耦合通道实现对温度的测量. 进一步的数值计算发现, 基于定向耦合效应的温度传感和基于表面等离子体共振的折射率传感相互独立, D形光子晶体光纤同时进行折射率和温度传感检测. 在各向异性的完美匹配层边界条件下利用全矢量有限元法对该传感器特性进行了数值研究, 发现D形光子晶体光纤的空气孔直径决定了定向耦合吸收峰的中心波长和温度传感的灵敏度, 金薄膜的厚度和D形结构的抛磨深度仅影响表面等离子体共振峰的相对强度. 结果表明: 该传感器在-10–80 ℃的温度范围内具有11.6 nm/℃的温度灵敏度, 在1.34–1.44折射率范围内折射率灵敏度最高可达26000 nm/RIU.     

空心微瓶谐振腔的封装及折射率传感特性研究北大核心CSCD

为提高传感器的稳定性和便携性,提出一种基于空心微瓶谐振腔的折射率传感器,对系统进行封装并对其折射率传感特性进行研究。仿真分析不同壁厚下空心微瓶谐振腔径向回音壁模式的光场分布,光场在微瓶内部的占比随着器件壁厚的减少而增加,有利于提高传感灵敏度。为减小空心微瓶谐振腔的壁厚,利用氢氟酸对石英毛细管进行腐蚀,使用光纤熔接机制备了薄壁空心微瓶谐振腔。采用紫外胶将耦合系统封装固定在载玻片上,器件稳定性和便携性得到提升。研究了封装器件在不同折射率匹配液下的传感特性,器件传感灵敏度为26.50 nm/RIU。该传感器具有稳定性强、灵活性高、损耗小等优点,在光微流控折射率检测方面拥有很大的应用潜力。     

In-plane illuminated metallic annular aperture array for sensing application

We propose here an application to sensing of annular aperture arrays (AAA). We theoretically investigate the optical properties of the reflective AAA device when illuminated in-plane. The cavity presents almost perfect absorption due to the waveguide mode resonance with strong field localization in the aperture. Additionally, the reflective cavity is modeled to be available for on-chip sensing with a theoretically expected sensitivity of 764 nm/RIU(refractive index unit).     

表面覆膜波导光栅共振光谱特性及传感机理分析

基于波导光栅共振原理和古斯-汉欣(Goos-Hänchen)位移理论,提出一种表面覆膜波导光栅传感结构,并研究其共振光谱特性。通过在光栅表面涂覆低折射率聚合物功能膜层优化其共振光谱特性,选用多孔硅作为待测物承载单元,可以使光学探针更充分地接触待测样本,从而提高其检测性能。根据波导光栅共振相位条件,建立了共振波长和样本折射率之间的数学模型,通过检测共振位置的改变进而对样本浓度进行检测。研究表明,该表面覆膜波导光栅传感结构具有线型对称和窄线宽的共振光谱特性,可实现高品质因数(Q值)和高灵敏度的传感特性,其Q值为1 488,对折射率的检测极限可达5×10-4 RIU(RIU为折射率单位)。通过检测不同浓度的葡萄糖溶液对其传感特性进行验证分析,结果表明,共振波长与葡萄糖溶液浓度之间具有良好的线性关系,对葡萄糖溶液的检测灵敏度为1.12nm/1%,证明了该表面覆膜波导光栅传感结构的有效性,可以用于对低浓度样本溶液的实时动态监测,并为波长调制型光学折射率传感器的研究提供理论指导。     

Photonic crystal microcavity as a highly sensitive platform for RI detection

In this paper, we propose a new design principle of two-dimensional photonic crystal refractive index sensors with high transmission and sensitivity simultaneously. The proposed sensor is made of two waveguide couplers and one microcavity which is obtained by varying the radius of one air hole in the center of PC structure. The microcavity is separated from the input and output waveguides by many holes of the PC. It is shown that by injecting an analyte such as gas or a liquid into a sensing hole, and thus changing its refractive index, a shift in the resonant wavelength may occur. The transmission spectra, quality factor and sensitivity of the sensor have been analyzed numerically by the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method. The sensitivity value of the sensor has been found to be 668 nm/(RIU with minimum detection limit of 0.002 RIU), which proves the ability of the structure to produce biosensor PhC.     

工字形太赫兹超材料吸波体的传感特性研究

利用超材料吸波体对材料参数的电磁响应, 可将其应用于传感. 本文设计了一种工字形单元结构的超材料吸波体, 基于频域算法对其在太赫兹频段的传感特性进行数值模拟, 研究了待测样品折射率、厚度及电介质隔层厚度对超材料吸波体传感器的频率灵敏度、振幅灵敏度及品质因数的影响. 研究结果表明:当待测样品厚度为40 μm时, 折射率频率灵敏度可达到153.17 GHz/RIU, 折射率振幅灵敏度可达到41.37%/RIU; 待测样品折射率一定时, 厚度频率灵敏度随其厚度的增大而线性减小; 随着待测样品厚度的增加, RFOM呈增大趋势, 但增大幅度在逐渐减小; TFOM随待测样品厚度的增加而减小.     

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.     

A Highly Accurate Refractive Index Sensor with Two Operation Modes Based on Photonic Crystal Ring Resonator

A 2D hole‐type hexagonal lattice photonic crystal is utilized, herein, to detect the refractive index change of the material infiltrated into the designed circular sensing area which also resembles a ring resonator. The accuracy of the detection process is enhanced considering the simultaneous shift of the resonance wavelengths and the intensity modulation which occur in two separate spectral regions. The presented structure has the ability to detect liquids, material concentrations in fluids and gases having refractive indices in the range of n = 1–2 with sensitivity and quality factor of 61 nm/RIU and 3000, respectively, for resonance‐wavelength‐shift‐based operation. The detection range of n = 1–1.4 with the sensitivity of S = 0.69 NI/RIU is achieved for the intensity‐based measurement and the results show good linearity in the operating range.     

Integrated silicon-based suspended racetrack micro-resonator for biological solution sensing with high-order mode

A biological sensing structure with a high-order mode ($\mathrm{E}_{21}^{y}$) is designed, which is composed of a suspended racetrack micro-resonator (SRTMR) and a microfluidic channel. The mode characteristics, coupling properties, and sensing performances are simulated by using the finite element method (FEM). To analyze the mode confinement property, the confinement factors in the core and cladding of the suspended waveguide for the $\mathrm{E}_{11}^{x}$, $\mathrm{E}_{11}^{y}$, and $\mathrm{E}_{21}^{y}$ are calculated. The simulation results show that the refractive index (RI) sensitivity of the proposed sensing structure can be improved by using the high-order mode ($\mathrm{E}_{21}^{y}$). The RI sensitivity for the $\mathrm{E}_{21}^{y}$ mode is ～ 201 nm/RIU, which is twice to thrice higher than those for the $\mathrm{E}_{11}^{x}$ mode and the $\mathrm{E}_{11}^{y}$ mode. Considering a commercial spectrometer, the proposed sensing structure based on the SRTMR achieves a limit of detection (LOD) of ～ 4.7×10^-6 RIU. Combined with the microfluidic channel, the SRTMR can possess wide applications in the clinical diagnostic assays and biochemical detections.     

晶格旋转光子晶体Mach-Zehnder干涉结构传感特性

基于光子晶体的自准直效应,利用在同一背景折射率下不同介质柱的等效折射率的不同,提出了一种基于晶格旋转的二维光子晶体Mach-Zehnder干涉仪折射率传感器。分别应用线缺陷和空气平板波导构成其分束镜和全反镜,并在其中一个干涉臂上设置传感区域。通过改变填充到传感区域溶液的浓度,改变介质柱的折射率,进而影响透射谱的中心波长,从而建立起溶液浓度和透射波长之间的数学关系;并进行了酒精溶液浓度测量的数值模拟,结果表明,该传感器在1.33~1.37折射率变化范围内灵敏度为250nm/RIU。     

Refractive index sensor based on high-order surface plasmon resonance in gold nanofilm coated photonic crystal fiber

We propose a novel kind of wide-range refractive index optical sensor based on photonic crystal fiber(PCF) covered with nano-ring gold film.The refractive index sensing performance of the PCF sensor is analyzed and simulated by the finite element method(FEM).The refractive index liquid is infiltrated into the cladding air hole of the PCF.By comparing the sensing performance of two kinds of photonic crystal fiber structures, a wide range and high sensitivity structure is optimized.The surface plasmon resonance(SPR) excitation material is chose as gold, and large gold nanorings are embedded around the first cladding air hole of the PCF.The higher order surface plasmon modes are generated in this designed optical fiber structure.The resonance coupling between the fundamental mode and the 5 th order surface plasmon polariton(SPP)modes is excited when the phase matching condition is matched.Therefore, the 3 rd loss peaks appear obvious red-shift with the increase of the analyte refractive index, which shows a remarkable polynomial fitting law.The fitnesses of two structures are 0.99 and 0.98, respectively.When the range of refractive indices is from 1.40 to 1.43, the two kinds of sensors have high linear sensitivities of 1604 nm/RIU and 3978 nm/RIU, respectively.     

Microstructured fiber based plasmonic index sensor with optimized accuracy and calibration relation in large dynamic range

A novel surface plasmon resonance photonic sensor is proposed using an index-guided microstructured fiber with an analyte channel introduced into the central core. Compared with the previous designs of porous fiber core, variation of the signal amplitude with exterior refractive index is demonstrated to be contrary to that of the sensitivity in the proposed fiber, contributing to optimized detecting accuracy over a large refractive index range of 1.33 to 1.42. By carefully choosing the central channel size, the analyte-filled core can achieve narrower resonance spectral width and higher signal to noise ratio (SNR) than the air-filled core. Sensor responses are also studied in this paper based on two spectral interrogation methods, including monitoring single resonance shift and measuring change in the resonance separation. For both methods, response linearity has been improved considerably through partially filling the core with analyte. The maximal sensitivity reaches 10^− 6 refractive index unit (RIU). The linear sensing performance along with the broad measurement range is very promising in the application of the proposed sensor as sensitive refractometer.     

A novel plasmonic refractive index sensor based on gold/silicon complementary grating structure

A novel complementary grating structure is proposed for plasmonic refractive index sensing due to its strong resonance at near-infrared wavelength.The reflection spectra and the electric field distributions are obtained via the finite-difference time-domain method.Numerical simulation results show that multiple surface plasmon resonance modes can be excited in this novel structure.Subsequently,one of the resonance modes shows appreciable potential in refractive index sensing due to its wide range of action with the environment of the analyte.After optimizing the grating geometric variables of the structure,the designed structure shows the stable sensing performance with a high refractive index sensitivity of 1642 nm per refractive index unit(nm/RIU)and the figure of merit of 409 RIU^-1.The promising simulation results indicate that such a sensor has a broad application prospect in biochemistry.     

Liquid refractive index sensor with three-cascaded microchannels in single-mode fiber fabricated by femtosecond laser-induced water breakdown

Liquid refractive index sensor with three-cascaded microchannels in single-mode fiber was fabricated by femtosecond laser-induced water breakdown. When the liquid is filled in three microchannels across the fiber core, the transmission spectrum of the sensor shows interference peaks. The refractive index of liquid can be sensed accurately based on both the wavelength shift and loss change of interference peaks. The refractive index sensitivities of wavelength shift and loss change reach to as high as ?2,406.1 nm/RIU and ?156.8 dB/RIU, respectively. The sensor is insensitive to the refractive index change of liquid caused by environmental temperature. It can be used for liquid refractive index sensing with high sensitivity, especially for water pollution monitoring.     

Optical strong coupling in hybrid metal-graphene metamaterial for terahertz sensing

We propose a terahertz hybrid metamaterial composed of subwavelength metallic slits and graphene plasmonic ribbons for sensing application. This special design can cause the interaction between the plasmon resonances of the metallic slits and graphene ribbons, giving rise to a strong coupling effect and Rabi splitting. Intricate balancing in the strong coupling region can be perturbed by the carrier concentration of graphene, which is subject to the analyte on its surface. Thereby, the detection of analyte can be reflected as a frequency shift of resonance in terahertz transmission spectra. The result shows that this sensor can achieve a theoretical detection limit of 325 electrons or holes per square micrometer. Meanwhile, it also works well as a refractive index sensor with the frequency sensitivity of 485 GHz/RIU. Our results may contribute to design of ultra-micro terahertz sensors.     

基于SM-NCF反射光谱辨识的液体折射率监测方法

针对分子生物学与环境监测领域高灵敏度特异性检测需求,提出一种基于反射光谱特征辨识的单端反射式光纤折射率传感器模型,并给出了这种基于多模干涉原理的单模光纤-无芯光纤(Single mode fiber-No core fiber, SM-NCF)串接结构传感机理及其理论模型。无芯光纤实质上是一种结构特殊的多模光纤,在实际应用中无芯光纤结构本身作为纤芯,外界环境介质当作包层,构成光波导结构。这与普通多模光纤相比,不需要采用氢氟酸对多模光纤的包层进行化学腐蚀,不会降低光纤的机械性能,也不会破坏芯模传输条件,可以更好的实现对周围环境折射率的传感监测。当无芯光纤所处外界环境折射率发生改变时,其波导结构和包层有效折射率均会发生改变,从而引起传输光信号的纵向传播常数和模场分布也会随之发生改变,最终导致不同波长对应传输光功率的变化。上述效应反映在反射光谱上,即干涉波谷对应的谐振波长、波谷峰值强度以及半波宽度发生相应变化,通过辨识该反射光谱特征就可实现对外界环境折射率的测量。借助光束传播法(BPM),数值模拟得到无芯光纤长度分别为自映像距离和非自映像距离时的SM-NCF内部光场能量分布规律,并制作了无芯光纤长度分别为自映像距离和非自映像距离的SM-NCF光纤折射率传感探头,将作为传感区域的无芯光纤一端与标准单模光纤熔接,采用磁控溅射技术在无芯光纤另一端面镀上金膜,用以提升反射光谱强度。在此基础上,搭建了基于SM-NCF终端反射型的光纤折射率试验系统,并开展了相关实验研究。研究结果表明,当无芯光纤长度是15 mm(自映像距离)时,随着液体折射率从1.331 5依次增大至1.390 2,SM-NCF反射光谱逐渐向长波方向偏移,其反射峰谐振波长对应的折射率灵敏度约为197.57 nm·RIU-1,相关系数为0.93;反射峰值强度也呈现逐渐降低趋势,其折射率灵敏度约为-62.80 dB·RIU-1。当无芯光纤长度是20 mm(非自映像距离)时,随着液体折射率依次增大,SM-NCF反射光谱呈现明显双峰现象,且均逐渐向长波方向偏移,dip2谐振峰波长折射率灵敏度约为133 nm·RIU-1,相关系数为0.96;反射峰值强度也呈现逐渐降低趋势,其折射率灵敏度约为-31.66 dB·RIU-1。对比分析可知,不论是从反射峰谐振波长偏移的角度,还是从反射峰值强度的角度,自映像距离长度对应的 SM-NCF终端反射型光纤传感器均具有较高灵敏度。对于相同折射率液体环境,非自映像距离长度对应的SM-NCF反射光谱半波宽度与自映像距离长度相比,呈现显著变窄趋势。相对于SMS透射型传感结构,当传感区域长度相同时,SM-NCF反射型结构能够实现对光波信号的往返两次调节。这种终端反射型SM-NCF传感器改进了传统透射型折射率传感器不便与待测液体相接触的缺点,具有结构简单、易于制作、抗电磁干扰能力强以及便于远程遥测等优点,能够为后续生化与环保监测领域研究应用提供有益支持。