Highly Sensitive Dual Parameter Sensor Based on a Hybrid Structure with Multimode Interferometer and Fiber Bragg Grating Fabricated by Femtosecond Laser

A hybrid sensing configuration for simultaneous measurement of strain and temperature based on fiber Bragg grating (FBG) written in an offset multimode fiber (MMF) interferometer using femtosecond laser pulse is proposed and demonstrated. A Mach–Zehnder interferometer is formed by splicing a section of MMF between two single-mode fibers (SMFs) and a high interference fringe of up to 15 dB is achieved. The sensing experimental results show a strain sensitivity of −1.17 pm/με and 0.6498 pm/με for the dip of MZI and Bragg peak, while a temperature sensitivity of 42.84 pm/°C and 19.96 pm/°C is measured. Furthermore, the matrix analysis has found that the strain and temperature resolution of the sensor are as high as ±12.36 με and ±0.35 °C, respectively. In addition, the sensor has merits of simple fabrication, good spectral quality, and high resolution, which shows attractive potential applications in dual-parameter sensing

Femtosecond laser fabrication of robust underwater superoleophobic and anti-oil surface on sapphire

Due to the presence of unique micro/nanostructures on the surface, fish’s scale exhibits underwater superoleophobicity and keeps clean even in oil-polluted water. Inspired from this, we propose a facile method for the fabrication of underwater superoleophobic and anti-oil sapphire surface with line-patterned nanostructures by femtosecond laser. The as-prepared surface shows great superoleophobicity that the oil contact angles can reach up to 153° for 1, 2-dichloroethane droplets in water and low oil-adhesion. At the same time, the relationship between the microgrooves’ period and surface wettability is studied, and the results indicate that the underwater superoleophobicity and low oil-adhesion can be achieved using a wide range of processing parameters. Meanwhile, the obtained surface is demonstrated to exhibit excellent stability. Moreover, the self-cleaning anti-oil ability of the as-prepared surface is conducted, and the potential mechanism of which is discussed. This technique has potential applications for the fabrication of underwater oil repelling devices and microfluidics

Refractive index and temperature-sensing characteristics of a cladding-etched thin core fiber interferometer

A high refractive index (RI) sensor based on an in-line Mach–Zehnder mode interferometer (MZI) is proposed. The sensor was realized by splicing a 2-cm length of cladding-etched thin core fiber (TCF) between two single mode fibers (SMFs). The TCF-structured MZI exhibited good fringe visibility as high as 15 dB in air and the high RI sensitivity attained a value of 1143.89 nm/RIU at a RI of 1.447. The experimental data revealed that the MZI has high RI sensitivity after HF etching realizing 2599.66 nm/RIU. Studies were performed on the temperature characteristics of the device. It is anticipated that this high RI sensor will be deployed in new and diverse applications in the chemical and biological fields