Optical fiber surface plasmon sensors using side polishing techniques

• Main Author: Xiao, Tianyuan
• Other Authors: Shum Ping
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/18066
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

An experimental method for the study of surface plasmonic resonance (SPR) sensor using side polishing technique is presented. Different fibers such as single mode fiber (SMF), multimode fiber (MMF) and photonic crystal fiber (PCF) have been deployed to achieve evanescent field based refractive index sensing. Fiber embedded in a silica block is side polished to a depth close to the core to enhance the leaky evanescent field. Nanometer-sized metallic layer such as gold is then adhesive onto the polished fiber surface. SPR spectrum can be directly observed from the optical spectrum analyzer by launching a broadband laser source into the fiber. Refractive index oil is used to determine the sensitivity of the sensors through the corresponding shift of the spectrum wavelength as well as the resonance depth. This method is simple to implement and adaptable in different harsh environments.