Microfluidic refractive index sensor based on an all-silica in-line Fabry–Perot interferometer fabricated with microstructured fibers

Authors

Jiajun Tian, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Yujie Lu, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Qi Zhang, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ming Han, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

3-11-2013

Citation

Optics Express 21:5 (2013), pp. 6633 - 6639

Comments

Copyright © 2013 Optical Society of America. Used by permission.

Abstract

We report a microfluidic fiber-optic refractive index (RI) sensor based on an in-line Fabry-Perot (FP) interferometer, which is formed by a silica tube sandwiched by two microstructured fibers (MFs). The sensor reported here can be fabricated at low cost, possess a robust structure, and has microfluidic capability. The micro-sized holes in the MFs naturally function as microfluidic channels through which liquid samples can be efficiently and conveniently delivered into and out of the FP cavity by a pressure/vacuum pump system for high-performance RI measurement. Due to the microfluidic capability enabled by the MFs, only sub microliter sample is required. We also experimentally study and demonstrate the superior performances of the sensor in terms of high RI sensitivity, good measurement repeatability, and low temperature cross-sensitivity.