Compact fiber optic sensor offers sensitive analysis in narrow spaces

Science Daily  March 15, 2018
Researchers in China have developed a refractive index sensor based on an S-tapered fiber probe with a silver mirror on its end facet. It can sense concentration, pH and other chemical parameters. They have demonstrated that the device is nine times more sensitive than other tapered fiber refractive index sensors, requires very little sample for analysis and measurements are not affected by temperature changes. The sensor’s small size, about 1mm, means that it could potentially be used inside blood vessels. With additional development, the sensor might be used to detect specific chemicals, DNA molecules or viruses… read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE 

(a) Schematic diagram of the STFP. (b) Experimental setup for RI sensing. Inset figure is the optical microscope image of the STFP. Credit: Optical Materials Express Vol. 8, Issue 4, 2018