Open AccessAll-polymer whispering gallery mode sensor system
Author(s) -
Ann Britt Petermann,
Arthur Varkentin,
Bernhard Roth,
Uwe Morgner,
Merve MeinhardtWollweber
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.24.006052
Subject(s) - laser linewidth , whispering gallery wave , whispering gallery , resonator , optics , narrowband , materials science , laser , wavelength , optical cavity , spheres , resonance (particle physics) , optoelectronics , physics , particle physics , astronomy
Sensors based on whispering gallery modes have been extensively investigated with respect to their possible application as physical or biological sensors. Instead of using a single resonator, we use an all polymer resonator array as sensing element. A tunable narrowband laser is coupled into a PMMA plate serving as an optical wave guide. PMMA spheres are placed in the evanescent field on the surface of the plate. Due to small size variations, some spheres are in resonance at a given wavelength while others are not. We show that this device is well suited for the determination of an unknown wavelength or for temperature measurements. Moreover, we discuss several general aspects of the sensor concept such as the number and size of sensing elements which are necessary for a correct measurement result, or the maximum acceptable linewidth of the laser.