Open AccessPhotonic crystal fiber in-line Mach-Zehnder interferometer for explosive detection
Author(s) -
Chuanyi Tao,
Heming Wei,
Wenlin Feng
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.24.002806
Subject(s) - interferometry , materials science , mach–zehnder interferometer , optics , photonic crystal fiber , ferrule , optical fiber , fiber optic sensor , explosive material , fiber , optoelectronics , wavelength , physics , chemistry , organic chemistry , composite material
We report a photonic crystal fiber (PCF) in-line Mach-Zehnder interferometer used as a gas sensor device which exhibits high sensitivity to the explosive trinitrotoluene (TNT). The interferometric sensor head is formed by embedding a segment of large-mode-area/grapefruit PCF between standard single-mode fibers via butt coupling, which produces two small air gaps in between terminated fiber ends with ceramic ferrule connectors as coupling regions, which also serve as inlet/outlet for the gas. The spectral response of the interferometer is investigated in terms of its wavelength spectrum. The selectivity to TNT vapor is achieved by immobilizing a molecular recognition ployallylamine layer on the inner surface of the holey region of the PCF. The TNT-induced variations of the interference fringes are measured and the sensing capability of the proposed sensor is demonstrated experimentally.