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Authors: Y. Liang, M. Zhao, Z. Wu, G. Morthier
Title: Bimodal Waveguide Interferometer Biosensor Fabricated On Low-cost Polymer Platform
Format: International Journal
Publication date: 2/2019
Journal/Conference/Book: IEEE Photonics Journal
Editor/Publisher: IEEE, 
Volume(Issue): 11(2) p.6801108
Location: United States
DOI: 10.1109/JPHOT.2019.2900741
Citations: 25 (Dimensions.ai - last update: 8/12/2024)
10 (OpenCitations - last update: 27/6/2024)
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Abstract

A refractive index sensor based on bimodal waveguide interferometer is demonstrated on the low-cost polymer platform for the first time. Different from conventional interferometers which make use of the interference between the light from two arms, bimodal waveguide interferometers utilize the interference between the two different internal modes in the waveguide. Since the utilized first higher mode has a wide evanescent tail which interacts with the external environment, the interferometer can reach a high sensitivity. Instead of vertical bimodal structure which is normally employed, the lateral bimodal waveguide is adopted in order to simplify the fabrication process. A unique offset between the centers of single mode waveguide and bimodal waveguide is designed to excite the two different modes with equal power which contributes to the maximum fringe visibility. The bimodal waveguide interferometer is finally fabricated on optical polymer (Ormocore) which is transparent at both infrared and visible wavelengths. It is fabricated using the UV-based soft imprint technique which is simple and reproductive. The bulk sensitivity of fabricated interferometer sensor with a 5 mm sensing length is characterized using different mass concentration sodium chloride solutions. The sensitivity is obtained as 316 pi rad/RIU and the extinction ratio can reach 18 dB.

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