Abstract
A refractive index sensor based on dual-core photonic crystal fiber (PCF) with hexagonal lattice is proposed. The effects of geometrical parameters of the PCF on performances of the sensor are investigated by using the finite element method (FEM). Two fiber cores are separated by two air holes filled with the analyte whose refractive index is in the range of 1.33–1.41. Numerical simulation results show that the highest sensitivity can be up to 22,983 nm/RIU(refractive index unit) when the analyte refractive index is 1.41. The lowest sensitivity can reach to 21,679 nm/RIU when the analyte refractive index is 1.33. The sensor we proposed has significant advantages in the field of biomolecule detection as it provides a wide-range of detection with high sensitivity.
Highlights
Photonic crystal fiber, which is called micro-structured optical fiber, has many advantages such as endless single mode, ultra low loss, high birefringence and high nonlinearity [1,2,3,4]
Due to its particular optical properties compared with conventional fibers, photonic crystal fiber (PCF) has been applied in many optical devices such as fiber lasers, optical communications and fiber sensors [5,6,7]
Most of PCF sensors are based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR), photonic bandgap properties of the PCF or resonant coupling
Summary
Photonic crystal fiber, which is called micro-structured optical fiber, has many advantages such as endless single mode, ultra low loss, high birefringence and high nonlinearity [1,2,3,4]. In 2009, Shi provided a refractive index sensor based on photonic bandgap fiber with long period grating and demonstrated a sensitivity of 17,900 nm/RIU [11]. The detection sensitivity of the sensor can be effectively improved by filling the analytes into the central air holes [18] Both wide-range detection and high sensitivity can be achieved by using the exponential dependence of inter-core coupling on analyte refractive index [19]. Refractive index sensors have attracted a lot of attention in the field of biomolecule detection as they provide a wide-range of detection with high sensitivity. We design a refractive index sensor based on dual-core photonic crystal fiber with a hexagonal air-hole lattice structure. It is much easier to manufacture, which is a better candidate for refractive index sensor devices
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