Tilted Fiber Bragg Grating Research Articles

Novel Schiff base functionalized 80-μm tilted fiber Bragg grating chemosensor for copper(II) ion detection

A novel Schiff base functionalized tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) is developed for the rapid detection of Copper ions in aqueous solutions. Notably, the proposed TFBG was inscribed in a commercial 80 μm diameter single-mode fiber that has a stronger evanescent field and functionalized with Schiff base that has a strong affinity with copper(II) ions. The findings indicate that the 80-μm TFBG is more superior to the TFBG inscribed in the 125-μm diameter standard optical fiber in terms of higher sensitivity, a lower limit of detection, and less susceptibility to refractive index noise. Furthermore, the proposed sensor is a silica glass-based optical component that can be reused multiple times via chemical stripping followed by a functionalization process. The results show that there is no sign of alteration and degradation in its optical spectrum after 24 times of chemical stripping processes.

Partially gold-coated tilted FBGs for enhanced surface biosensing.

To date, there is clear experimental evidence that gold-coated tilted fiber Bragg gratings (TFBGs) are highly sensitive plasmonic biosensors that provide temperature-compensated detection of analytes at concentrations in the picomolar range. As most optical biosensors, they bring an evanescent wave in the surrounding medium, which makes them sensitive to both surface refractive index variations (= the useful biosensing signal) and to bulk refractive index changes (= the non-useful signal for biosensing). This dual sensitivity makes them prone to drift. In this work, we study partially gold-coated TFBGs around their cross-section. These gratings present the ability to discriminate both volume and surface refractive index changes, which is interesting in biosensing to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio. The effects induced in the TFBGs transmitted amplitude spectra were analyzed for surrounding refractive index (SRI) changes in the range 1.3360-1.3370. Then, the gold film was biofunctionalized with human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2) aptamers using thiol chemistry. The detection of HER2 proteins (a relevant cancer biomarker) at 10-9 g/mL, 10-8 g/mL and 10-6 g/mL demonstrated the advantage to identify environmental perturbations through the bare area of the TFBGs, which is left not functionalized. The non-specific drifts that could exist in samples are eliminated and a wavelength shift only related to the surface modification is obtained.

Cladding Mode Fitting-Assisted Automatic Refractive Index Demodulation Optical Fiber Sensor Probe Based on Tilted Fiber Bragg Grating and SPR.

In the paper based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in a tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG), a novel algorithm is proposed, which facilitates demodulation of surrounding refractive index (SRI) via cladding mode interrogation and accelerates calibration and measurement of SRI. Refractive indices with a tiny index step of 2.2 × 10−5 are prepared by the dilution of glucose aqueous solution for the test and the calibration of this fiber sensor probe. To accelerate the calibration process, automatic selection of the most sensitive cladding mode is demonstrated. First, peaks of transmitted spectrum are identified and numbered. Then, sensitivities of several potentially sensitive cladding modes in amplitude adjacent to the left of the SPR area are calculated and compared. After that, we focus on the amplitudes of the cladding modes as a function of a SRI, and the highest sensitivity of −6887 dB/RIU (refractive index unit) is obtained with a scanning time of 15.77 s in the range from 1520 nm to 1620 nm. To accelerate the scanning speed of the optical spectrum analyzer (OSA), the wavelength resolution is reduced from 0.028 nm to 0.07 nm, 0.14 nm, and 0.28 nm, and consequently the scanning time is shortened to 6.31 s, 3.15 s, and 1.58 s, respectively. However, compared to 0.028 nm, the SRI sensitivity for 0.07 nm, 0.14 nm, and 0.28 nm is reduced to −5685 dB/RIU (17.5% less), −5415 dB/RIU (21.4% less), and −4359 dB/RIU (36.7% less), respectively. Thanks to the calculation of parabolic equation and weighted Gauss fitting based on the original data, the sensitivity is improved to −6332 dB/RIU and −6721 dB/RIU, respectively, for 0.07 nm, and the sensitivity is increased to −5850 dB/RIU and −6228 dB/RIU, respectively, for 0.14 nm.

Evaluation of thermosetting resin curing using a tilted fiber Bragg grating

The strain, temperature and refractive index of a material can be evaluated from the Bragg and cladding modes in the transmission spectra of tilted fiber Bragg gratings (TFBGs). The strain and refractive index of thermosetting resin are evaluated from the changes in these indicators. Changing the mechanical strain of the TFBG (thus varying the refractive index from 1.56 to 1.64) negligibly changed the transmission spectrum, suggesting that strain and refractive index can be simultaneously measured. The curing process of the epoxy adhesive film was monitored by measuring the film’s refractive index through the TFBG. The relationship between the refractive index and curing degree was quantified using the Kamal model based on isothermal curing kinetics. When measuring the degree of resin curing, the TFGB-based method performed at least as well as Fresnel reflection-based fiber-optic sensors, demonstrating its usefulness in monitoring the strain and curing degree of thermosetting resin-based materials.

TILTED FIBER BRAGG GRATING SENSORS FOR REFRACTIVE INDEX MEASUREMENTS OF LIQUID SOLUTIONS

This publication presents the basic assumptions about the light guiding mechanisms in tilted fiber Bragg gratings, transmission spectra of the fiber with such structures and their sensor properties related to the occurrence of the so-called cladding modes. The light in the form of modes coupled to the optical fiber cladding causes their spectral properties to depend on the difference in the refractive indices of the surrounding medium and the fiber cladding. With the introduction of a small inclination angle of the diffraction fringes forming the Bragg grating, the cladding modes show sensitivity to changes in the refractive index of the environment of aqueous solutions, which makes the spectrum of their applications broad. This publication presents changes in the spectra of selected modes measured for solutions with a specific refractive index, shift sensitivity, and changes in the mode transmission coefficient and processing characteristics at a selected concentration range of solutions. Experimental results show that high order cladding modes respond both by shifting the central wavelength as well as by changing the transmission minimum. In selected ranges, these parameters show a linear characteristic as a function of changes in the concentration of the cane sugar aqueous solution. In the case of TFBG with a tilt angle of 8 °, the sensitivity of wavelength changes is 0.012nm / RIU for solutions with concentrations ranging from 0% to 10% by weight.

Single- and Double-Comb Tilted Fibre Bragg Grating Refractive Index Demodulation Methods with Fourier Transform Pre-Processing.

The development of fibre optic sensors for measuring the refractive index is related to the creation of new periodic structures and demodulation algorithms for the measured spectrum. Recently, we proposed a double-comb Tilted fibre Bragg grating (DCTFBG) structure. In this article, we analyse such a structure for measuring the refractive index in comparison to a single classical structure. Increasing the number of modes causes a significant change in the Fourier spectrum of optical spectra. For the purpose of data pre-processing, we propose the Fourier Transform as a filtering method in the frequency domain. Then, we analyse separately the band-filtered optical spectra for several frequency ranges. For quantitative analysis, we use algorithms that use quantitative changes in the transmission, i.e., the method of the envelope and the length of the spectrum contour. We propose the use of the Hilbert transform as the envelope method. The second type of algorithms used are methods determining the shift of spectrum features along the wavelength axis. The method of determining the centre of gravity of the area bounded by the envelope and the maximum of the second derivative of the smoothed cumulative spectrum contour length is proposed here. Using the developed methods, the measurement resolution was achieved at the level of 2 × 10−5 refractive index unit.

Ultralow Limit Detection of Soluble HER2 Biomarker in Serum with a Fiber-Optic Ball-Tip Resonator Assisted by a Tilted FBG.

An optical-fiber biosensor has been developed for the detection of the breast cancer biomarker soluble human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (sHER2). The sensor was fabricated by combining a tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) with a ball resonator, allowing us to achieve an excellent sensitivity compared to other optical-fiber-based sensors. The sensor exhibits a resonance comb excited by the TFBG and the spectral profile of the ball resonator. The detection of sHER2 at extremely low concentrations was carried out by tracking the amplitude change of selected resonances. The therapeutic anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody Trastuzumab has been used to functionalize the biosensor with silane surface chemistry. The sensor features a sensitivity of 4034 dB/RIU with a limit of detection (LoD) in buffer and in a 1/10 diluted serum of 151.5 ag/mL and 3.7 pg/mL, respectively. At relatively high protein concentrations (64 ng/mL) binding to sHER (7.36 dB) as compared to control proteins (below 0.7 dB) attested the high specificity of sHER2 detection.

Optimization of Cladding Diameter for Refractive Index Sensing in Tilted Fiber Bragg Gratings.

This work presents an experimental investigation of the effect of chemical etching on the refractive index (RI) sensitivity of tilted fiber Bragg gratings (TFBGs). Hydrofluoric acid (HF) was used stepwise in order to reduce the optical fiber diameter from 125 µm to 13 µm. After each etching step, TFBGs were calibrated using two ranges of RI solutions: the first one with high RI variation (from 1.33679 RIU to 1.37078 RIU) and the second with low RI variation (from 1.34722 RIU to 1.34873 RIU). RI sensitivity was analyzed in terms of wavelength shift and intensity change of the grating resonances. The highest amplitude sensitivities obtained are 1008 dB/RIU for the high RI range and 8160 dB/RIU for the low RI range, corresponding to the unetched TFBG. The highest wavelength sensitivities are 38.8 nm/RIU for a fiber diameter of 100 µm for the high RI range, and 156 nm/RIU for a diameter of 40 µm for the small RI range. In addition, the effect of the etching process on the spectral intensity of the cladding modes, their wavelength separation and sensor linearity (R2) were studied as well. As a result, an optimization of the etching process is provided, so that the best trade-off between sensitivity, intensity level, and fiber thickness can be obtained.

Relevance of the Spectral Analysis Method of Tilted Fiber Bragg Grating-Based Biosensors: A Case-Study for Heart Failure Monitoring.

Optical fiber technology has rapidly progressed over the years, providing valuable benefits for biosensing purposes such as sensor miniaturization and the possibility for remote and real-time monitoring. In particular, tilted fiber Bragg gratings (TFBGs) are extremely sensitive to refractive index variations taking place on their surface. The present work comprises a case-study on the impact of different methods of analysis applied to decode spectral variations of bare and plasmonic TFBGs during the detection of N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), a heart failure biomarker, namely by following the most sensitive mode, peaks of the spectral envelopes, and the envelopes’ crossing point and area. Tracking the lower envelope resulted in the lowest limits of detection (LOD) for bare and plasmonic TFBGs, namely, 0.75 ng/mL and 0.19 ng/mL, respectively. This work demonstrates the importance of the analysis method on the outcome results, which is crucial to attain the most reliable and sensitive method with lower LOD sensors. Furthermore, it makes the scientific community aware to take careful attention when comparing the performance of different biosensors in which different analysis methods were used.

Design and fabrication of Gr/Ag-coated tilted grating sensor for ultra-sensitive detection of DNA hybridization

A graphene sensitized biosensor based on 6° tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) was proposed. The introduction of the graphene coating boosted the sensitivity and stability of the Ag/TFBG sensor, and improved the probe loading and molecular capture of the sensitized layer. A quantitative analytical model was proposed to calculate the hybridization efficiency and maximum sensor response of DNA single base mismatch. The results showed that the kinetic affinity response of the Gr/Ag/TFBG sensor was stably demonstrated with a dissociation constant (kd=9.392 ± 0.178·10−3 min−1) and the detection limit of DNA was as low as 3 pM. This indicates that the sensor has the ability to distinguish single base mutations quantitatively in real time. The surface modification, probe binding and DNA hybridization were characterized based on atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman detection spectrum detection system. A 3D diversity analysis model for TFBG sensors was innovatively proposed based on COMSOL. The multi-mode coupling and polarization response analysis of the inner core, the electric field distribution and polarization transmission mode of the sensitized layer, and the polarization gain brought by graphene are systematically described. Excellent bioanalytical capabilities combined with well-established analytical methods make prepared sensor promising for high-throughput screening of genetic variants and disease markers.

A single three-parameter tilted fibre Bragg grating sensor to monitor the thermosetting composite curing process

The unique sensing features of the tilted Fibre Bragg Grating (TFBG) as a single three-parameter optical sensor are demonstrated in this work, to monitor the manufacturing process of composite materials produced using Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Moulding (VARTM) process. Each TFBG sensor can measure simultaneously and separately strain, temperature and refractive index (RI) of the material where the optical fibre is embedded. A TFBG embedded in a 2 mm glass-fibre/epoxy composite plate was used to measure the thermomechanical variations induced during the curing process. At the same time, the RI measurements, performed with the same TFBG sensor, can estimate the degree of cure of the resin. The TFBG sensor shows to be a valid and promising technology to improve the state of art of sensing and monitoring in composite material manufacturing.

Tilted Fiber Bragg Grating Inscription in Boron Co-Doped Photosensitive Optical Fiber Using 266 nm Solid State Laser Pulses

Tilted Fiber Bragg Grating Inscription in Boron Co-Doped Photosensitive Optical Fiber Using 266 nm Solid State Laser Pulses

Fast-Response Oxygen Optical Fiber Sensor based on PEA2 SnI4 Perovskite with Extremely Low Limit of Detection.

Oxygen sensor is an important technique in various applications including industrial process control, medical equipment, biological fabrication, etc. The reported optical fiber‐based configurations so far, using gas‐sensitive coating do not meet the stringent performance targets, such as fast response time and low limit of detection (LOD). Tin‐based halide perovskites are sensitive to oxygen with potential use for sensor applications. Here, the halide perovskite‐based oxygen optical fiber sensor by combining phenylethylammonium tin iodide (PEA2SnI4) and tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) is demonstrated. The PEA2SnI4‐based oxygen optical fiber sensor is reversible at room temperature with a response time of about 10 s, and the experimental LOD approaches to an extremely low oxygen concentration of about 50 ppm. The as‐fabricated oxygen sensor shows a relative response change of 0.6 dB for an oxygen concentration increase from 50 ppm to 5% with good gas selection against NO2, CO, CO2, H2. This work extends the sensor applications of halide perovskites, providing a novel technique for rapid and repeatable oxygen gas detection at a low level.

Simultaneous measurement of strain and temperature using a tilted fiber Bragg grating

The strain, temperature and refractive index of a material can be evaluated from the Bragg and cladding modes in the transmission spectrum of tilted fiber Bragg gratings (TFBGs). The strain and temperature of resin-based composite materials are evaluated from the changes of these indicators. The sensitivities of the TFBG were acquired by changing either the temperature or mechanical strain while fixing the other parameter. The TFBG was then surface-mounted in a more practical environment in which both the temperature and strain changed. The test results showed that simultaneous measurement was possible, but the conventional method of extracting arbitrary peaks in cladding mode had low measurement accuracy. To improve this situation, two peaks were non-arbitrarily extracted to minimize the condition number. The proposed extraction method clearly improved the accuracy of strain and temperature measurements by the TFBG.

Recent Achievements on Grating Fabrications in Polymer Optical Fibers with Photosensitive Dopants: A Review.

This review discusses recent achievements on grating fabrications in polymer optical fibers doped with photosensitive materials. First, different photosensitive dopants in polymer optical fibers (POFs) are summarized, and their refractive index change mechanisms are discussed. Then, several different doping methods to fabricate the photosensitive POFs are presented. Following that, the principles of gratings, including standard fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs), tilted fiber Bragg gratings (TFBGs), chirped fiber Bragg gratings (CFBGs), phase-shifted fiber Bragg gratings (PSFBGs), and long period fiber gratings (LPFGs), are reported. Finally, fabrications of different gratings based on photosensitive POFs in the last 20 years are reported. We present our article clearly and logically, so that it will be helpful for researchers to explore a broad perspective on this proposed topic. Overall, the content provides a comprehensive overview of photosensitive POF fabrications and grating inscriptions in photosensitive POFs, including previous breakthroughs and recent advancements.

Graphene oxide modified tilted fiber Bragg grating for 10<sup>–12</sup> level heavy metal ion sensing

Graphene oxide (GO) is an ideal label-free sensing material with its super large specific surface area and abundant surface functional groups. Considering its insulating characteristic, the GO is suitable for optics-based heavy metal ion sensing. However, given the large surface tension of water and the hydrophilicity of GO, the agglomeration or wrinkles of GO nanosheets is usually inevitable during coating with aqueous dispersion. This reduces the accessible surface area and surface functional groups of GO, thereby degrading the sensing performance. Here, an ultra-sensitive GO functionalized tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) sensor is designed to detect heavy metal ions in aqueous solutions. Firstly, a strategy of free energy manipulation is employed to avoid the wrinkles and agglomeration of GO nanosheets. In the scenario of aqueous dispersion, the GO nanosheets will wrinkle as the water droplets evaporate and shrink. In contrast, using the lower-surface-tension ethanol as the dispersant and a high-surface-energy substrate processed by oxygen plasma, the dispersion will evenly spread on the substrate instead of forming droplets. When ethanol evaporates, GO nanosheets are attached to the substrate in largest possible area to reduce the free energy of the system, by which a GO film without agglomeration or wrinkles can be obtained. Secondly, the intrinsic sensitivity of TFBG is conducive to the detection of heavy metal ions in water. Mode interference occurs between the cladding mode and the core mode in the TFBG, and the wavelength and intensity of the interference are highly sensitive to the surrounding temperature, stress, and refractive index. Combining the above characteristics, the GO functionalized TFBG is highly sensitive to Pb<sup>2+</sup>, Cd<sup>2+</sup>, and Cu<sup>2+</sup> ions in water. These heavy metal ions are adsorbed by the GO, and thus causing the effective refractive index to increase. The results show that the adsorption of heavy metal ions makes the interference peaks red-shifted in the transmission spectrum. The lowest detection limit for Pb<sup>2+</sup> and Cd<sup>2+</sup> can reach 10<sup>–10</sup> mol/L (ng/L level), and the corresponding sensitivities are 0.426 and 0.385 dB/(nmol·L<sup>–1</sup>) (2.06 and 3.43 dB/(μg·L<sup>–1</sup>)), respectively. These superior sensing performances benefit from the high specific surface area and accessible carbonyl groups of the unfolded GO, and also rely on the excellent intrinsic sensitivity of TFBG. The GO functionalized TFBG sensor has a promising potential application in environment monitoring.

Spectral analysis for tilted fiber Bragg gratings in the corrosion detection for concrete structure

An effective corrosion monitoring technique is sought after by the engineers for assessing the steel bar corrosion at the early stage for the maintenance and repair works, especially in the corrosive environments, such as coastal and marine. In this work, tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) with the optical sensor is employed in corrosion monitoring of a reinforced concrete structure. Taking advantage of the high sensitivity of TFBG cladding resonance wavelengths to the change in the surrounding medium, the sensor is mounted on the steel bar that is embedded in a concreted block during an accelerated corrosion process. The acquired transmission spectrum of the TFBG during the procedure is digitally processed using Fourier Transform to produce an index that is sensitive to the generated corrosion product surrounding the TFBG sensor. This eases the analysis of the sophisticated TFBG transmission spectra. The generated index can be used as an indicator (indicator J) for the corrosion process of the embedded steel bar in the concrete structure. This indicator J can act as an indicator to describe the corrosion activity and corrosion level at a specific point of the steel bar in concrete structures.

Transmission Power of Homemade Chirped and Tilted Fiber Bragg Grating on 25 μm/400 μm Fiber Exceeding 4 kW

Transmission Power of Homemade Chirped and Tilted Fiber Bragg Grating on 25 μm/400 μm Fiber Exceeding 4 kW

D-Shaped Optic Fiber Temperature and Refractive Index Sensor Assisted by Tilted Fiber Bragg Grating and Pdms Film

D-Shaped Optic Fiber Temperature and Refractive Index Sensor Assisted by Tilted Fiber Bragg Grating and Pdms Film

Detection of Ethanol Content in Ethanol Gasoline Based on Tilted Fiber Bragg Gratings

Detection of Ethanol Content in Ethanol Gasoline Based on Tilted Fiber Bragg Gratings