Optical sensors based on palladium and polymer-coated optical fiber resonators

Abstract

In this work, we present robust and easy-to-fabricate optical gas and vapor sensors based on optical fiber resonators (OFR) coated with palladium (Pd) thin films, Pd micro-particles and polymer brushes (PB). Pd based sensors are used for hydrogen (H-2) gas detection in concentration range of 0% to 1% and polymer brush-coated OFR are used for detection of vapor in concentration range of 0 to 25%. Sensing mechanism of these sensors is based on spectral shift of resonance wavelength which are called whispering gallery modes (WGMs). This spectral shift is due to volume expansion of the sensing material. Tapered fiber is used in order to excite WGMs in coated OFRs. Good sensitivity and repeatability results are obtained for all three types of sensors.