Analysis of an encapsulated whispering gallery mode micro-optical sensor

Abstract

Whispering gallery mode (WGM) based micro-optical sensors are known to have higher sensitivity than fiber Bragg grating, Fabry–Perot, and microbend sensors. WGM sensors are created by optical coupling of a dielectric microparticle with an optical fiber. The combination of a microparticle and an optical-fiber to create the sensor requires encapsulating them in a suitable material so that the sensor can be used in practical applications. The sensitivity of the encapsulated sensors needs to be calibrated before they can be used. The present study conducts a parametric study to understand the effect of variables such as particle size and particle–fiber distance on the sensitivity of the encapsulated WGM sensors. Solid and hollow microparticle based sensors are studied. In the case of hollow particles, their wall thickness effects are also characterized. Results show that despite small strain, change in the index of refraction of the particle material due to the applied force contributes significantly in determining the sensitivity of these sensors.