Lossy Mode Resonance-based pH sensor using a tapered single mode optical fiber coated with a polymeric nanostructure

ABSTRACT

This contribution presents a pH sensor based on the combination of two technologies: tapered standard-single mode optical fiber (S-SMF) and an electromagnetic resonance phenomenon called Lossy Mode Resonance (LMR). This last phenomenon is produced by coating the optical structure with a thin polymeric film, which for specific values of the coating refractive index and thickness causes a maximum coupling of light guided in the tapered S-SMF region. Layer-by-layer electrostatic self assembly technique was used for the fabrication of a polymeric sensing nanostructure. The construction process was optimized in order to visualize the LMR behavior with a device length of 5 mm. The sensing combination produces a 250 nm wavelength-shift and a 20 dB attenuation variation of the LMR when varying the pH from 4 to 6.