Sensitivity-enhanced refractive index sensor by using tapered thin-core fiber based inline Mach-Zehnder interferometer

Jie Shi; Shilin Xiao; Meihua Bi

doi:10.1117/12.904486

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29 November 2011 Sensitivity-enhanced refractive index sensor by using tapered thin-core fiber based inline Mach-Zehnder interferometer

Jie Shi, Shilin Xiao, Meihua Bi

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Proceedings Volume 8311, Optical Sensors and Biophotonics III; 83110C (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.904486
Event: SPIE/OSA/IEEE Asia Communications and Photonics, 2011, Shanghai, China

Abstract

A sensitivity-enhanced optical fiber refractive index sensor based on inline Mach-Zehnder interferometer is proposed. The sensor head is formed by splicing a tapered thin-core diameter fiber between two sections of single mode fibers. The taper (less than 1 mm) plays an important role in improving the sensitivity of the sensor. The sensitivity of refractive index is measured to be 0.447 nm for a 1% change of refractive index in the typical refractive index range of 1.333- 1.3725. The whole fabrication process (including splicing and tapering) can be operated by a commercial fiber splicing machine. The proposed sensor also shows the merits of simple structure, low cost, and easy fabrication.

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Jie Shi, Shilin Xiao, and Meihua Bi "Sensitivity-enhanced refractive index sensor by using tapered thin-core fiber based inline Mach-Zehnder interferometer", Proc. SPIE 8311, Optical Sensors and Biophotonics III, 83110C (29 November 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.904486

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