High sensitivity temperature and gas pressure sensor based on PDMS sealed tapered hollow-core fiber

Abstract

We use hollow core fiber (HCF) and single mode fiber (SMF) fusion splicing to form a sensor with a “SMF-HCF-SMF” structure. To improve the sensitivity of the sensor, the HCF is tapered and stretched to a waist diameter of 10 μm. Then, in order to further improve the sensitivity of the sensor to temperature and pressure, as well as the mechanical strength of the sensor, we coated a layer of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) thin film on the surface of the tapered HCF. When light propagates in the sensor, an anti-resonant reflection optical waveguide (ARROW) mechanism is formed. Due to the excellent thermal sensitivity and elasticity of PDMS, the transmission spectrum of the sensor will significantly drift due to changes in environmental temperature and gas pressure, achieving temperature and pressure measurement. The experimental results show that the maximum temperature and gas pressure sensitivity of the sensor reach −3.2321 nm/℃ and −22.80 nm/MPa, respectively. In addition, the sensor also has good repeatability and stability, as well as short response time. It has certain application prospects in the field of high sensitivity temperature and gas pressure sensing measurement.