Mach–Zehnder interferometer based on graded-index core mismatch with a customizable interrogation method for protein and refractive index sensing

IF 4.9 3区工程技术 Q2 ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC

Sensors and Actuators A-physical Pub Date : 2025-10-24 DOI:10.1016/j.sna.2025.117183

D.A. Huerta-Arteaga , R.M. Estrada-Martinez , M. Maldonado-Muñiz , N. Elizondo-Villarreal , F. Paraguay-Delgado , M. Torres-Torres , M. Rodriguez-Nieto , G. Salceda-Delgado

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Abstract

A Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) refractive index (RI) sensor based on the core mismatch between a graded-index multimode fiber (GIMMF) and a single-mode fiber (SMF) is proposed. The device consists of an SMF segment sandwiched between two short GIMMF sections, which act as partial mode couplers between the core and the cladding modes. By tailoring the GIMMF length, the interferometer allows flexible interrogation, operating either through wavelength shifts combined with intensity variations or through intensity changes alone. Numerical simulations confirmed that mode expansion and reimaging in the GIMMF govern cladding mode excitation, while experimental validation demonstrated RI measurements in calibrated oils and protein sensing with casein and gelatin solutions. The sensor achieved maximum absolute sensitivity values of 163.69 nm/RIU for wavelength-based interrogation and 76.31 dBm/RIU for intensity-based detection. Furthermore, coating the sensing region with green-synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) enhanced the evanescent-field interaction, yielding up to nine and 7.5-fold improvements in wavelength and intensity sensitivities, respectively. These results highlight a robust and customizable optical fiber sensor with strong potential for biochemical analysis and refractive index detection.

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基于分级-折射率核心不匹配的马赫-曾德干涉仪与可定制的询问方法，用于蛋白质和折射率传感

提出了一种基于梯度折射率多模光纤（gimf）和单模光纤（SMF）芯不匹配的马赫-曾德尔干涉仪（MZI）折射率传感器。该器件由夹在两个短gimf段之间的SMF段组成，充当核心和包层模式之间的部分模式耦合器。通过调整gimf长度，干涉仪允许灵活的探测，既可以通过波长变化结合强度变化操作，也可以单独通过强度变化操作。数值模拟证实，gimf中的模式扩展和再成像控制着包层模式的激发，而实验验证表明，在校准的油和蛋白质传感中，酪蛋白和明胶溶液的RI测量结果。基于波长的探测和基于强度的探测，传感器的最大绝对灵敏度分别为163.69 nm/RIU和76.31 dBm/RIU。此外，在传感区域涂覆绿色合成的银纳米颗粒（AgNPs）增强了倏逝场相互作用，波长和强度灵敏度分别提高了9倍和7.5倍。这些结果突出了一种强大的、可定制的光纤传感器，在生化分析和折射率检测方面具有强大的潜力。

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来源期刊

Sensors and Actuators A-physical 工程技术-工程：电子与电气

CiteScore

8.10

自引率

6.50%

发文量

630

审稿时长

49 days

期刊介绍： Sensors and Actuators A: Physical brings together multidisciplinary interests in one journal entirely devoted to disseminating information on all aspects of research and development of solid-state devices for transducing physical signals. Sensors and Actuators A: Physical regularly publishes original papers, letters to the Editors and from time to time invited review articles within the following device areas: • Fundamentals and Physics, such as: classification of effects, physical effects, measurement theory, modelling of sensors, measurement standards, measurement errors, units and constants, time and frequency measurement. Modeling papers should bring new modeling techniques to the field and be supported by experimental results. • Materials and their Processing, such as: piezoelectric materials, polymers, metal oxides, III-V and II-VI semiconductors, thick and thin films, optical glass fibres, amorphous, polycrystalline and monocrystalline silicon. • Optoelectronic sensors, such as: photovoltaic diodes, photoconductors, photodiodes, phototransistors, positron-sensitive photodetectors, optoisolators, photodiode arrays, charge-coupled devices, light-emitting diodes, injection lasers and liquid-crystal displays. • Mechanical sensors, such as: metallic, thin-film and semiconductor strain gauges, diffused silicon pressure sensors, silicon accelerometers, solid-state displacement transducers, piezo junction devices, piezoelectric field-effect transducers (PiFETs), tunnel-diode strain sensors, surface acoustic wave devices, silicon micromechanical switches, solid-state flow meters and electronic flow controllers. Etc...