Flexible and Wearable Photonic-Crystal Fiber Interferometer for Physiological Monitoring and Healthcare

Abstract

Utilization of flexible optical systems for real-time comprehensive physiological monitoring has been restricted by their low mechanical robustness and reconfigurability. Here we report a mechanically robust, reconfigurable, flexible, and wearable photonic interferometer system for real-time precision tracking of limb activities, facial motions, respiration, and pulse rate with significant temporal stability and repeatability. Vital health diagnostic parameters have been measured by virtue of a highly sensitive response of the system. The proposed system features curvature sensitivity of 3.1 nm/m–1 over the range of 0–1.71 m–1, temperature sensitivity of 284 pm/°C between 30 and 60 °C, and physical strain sensitivity of 540 pm/1% tensile strain. Such a robust, reconfigurable, and sensitive system would have a wide practical and sustainable utility for real-time dynamic activity monitoring in health, industrial, and various other sectors.