Lossy mode resonance in an etched-out optical fiber taper covered by a thin ITO layer.

Abstract

The results of the rigorous calculation of mode fields in double adiabatic, single-mode etched-out optical fiber tapers coated with thin indium tin oxide films are discussed in the context of their application as environment refractive index sensors. It is shown that at only two particular thicknesses covering the homogeneous section of the taper ITO film about 100 nm and 177 nm, the lossy mode resonance is observed in the wavelength range of 1.50-1.55 µm. Moreover, the sensitivity of a sensor based on a 177 nm coating is significantly higher, and the resonance width is significantly lower than that of a sensor with a 100 nm coating. Optimal from the viewpoint of the figure of merit, values for the diameter of a homogeneous section of the etched fiber are defined.