Optically S-polarized surface waves in symmetrical nonlinear sensors: Thermal effects

A surface wave in a planar nonlinear waveguide is a current problem that has several applications in modern electronics and optics such as optical sensors design. The effect of thermal stress on the optical performance of a nonlinear symmetrical sensor is studied. The mathematical forms of the dispersion equation and thermal-stress sensitivity are analytically derived and plotted numerically. It is found that the thermal sensitivity of the sensor can be controlled by tuning the core size, by changing the loading materials, and by carefully selecting the materials.