Proyectos
Sensing Structures Based on Post-Processed Photonic Crystal Fibers
Resumen
in the last decades, optical fibers have been widely used not only in the telecommunication industry, but also in sensing applications, due to their multiple advantages compared to conventional electric sensors. Currently, fiber-optic sensors are implemented in the measurement and monitoring of various physicochemical variables such as pressure, displacement, pH, temperature, refractive index, strain, etc., becoming increasingly important for applications in industrial process and quality control, biomedical analysis, and environmental monitoring. The development of fiber-optic sensors is being continuously addressed, leading to the search for new alternatives through the simplification of some processes, such as the construction of the sensor itself and the way in which measurement and/or exploration of new strategies and techniques is performed. The current interest is the development of all-fiber optic devices since these types of photonic components have compact size, high efficiency, fast response and versatility compared to electronic devices. To carry out this task, it is mandatory the use of a new generation of optical fibers known as Photonic Crystal Fibers (PCFs). PCFs represent a versatile alternative for the design and manufacture of different types of sensors due the flexibility to adapt their design and optical properties, which can be modified from the manufacture process, making variations in the distribution and size of the air holes located throughout the cladding. However, PCFs have been mostly characterized for having a hollow structure with periodic arrangements. As conventional optical fibers, PCFs have been used to measure physical parameters such as pressure, temperature, strain, torsion and displacement, among others. In order to increase their sensitivity, different post-processing techniques have been explored, such as PCF tapering, insertion of liquids or metals and deposition of films, among others. However, there are some difficulties inherent to the various post-processing techniques. In the specific case of the photo-inscription of Bragg gratings in the PCF, the microstructure of holes in the cladding plays a determining role. For example, during the photo-inscription process, the core region is illuminated with proper power and polarization, so that the periodic variation of the refractive index along the fiber core is generated. Microstructure can alter the intensity with which the laser used for photo-inscription reaches the core region of the PCF, because light deviates from its straight line path when it finds an irregular path, leaving a grating that may significantly differ from the one written on a conventional fiber under the same lighting conditions. It should be noted that many techniques have been used to improve the PCF photo-inscription process. On the other hand, filling the PCF with liquids is usually carried out using the capillary effect, which can result in a somewhat complex process, as well as the process of splicing through an arc discharge, due to the difference between the melting points of liquid and silica. In the specific case of a temperature sensor, evaporation and leakage of liquids inside the PCF should also be considered. Currently sensing devices implemented with PCF continue to be of great interest and their development is leading to the search for new alternatives and strategies that help to advance in the sensing of physical variables, through the simplification of some processes, such as the construction of the sensor itself and the measurement technique that is performed, and/or by exploring new strategies that can be implemented along with post-processing techniques, including deposition of films of new materials such as graphene, in which there is a relatively recent interest. The focus of this project is aimed precisely at this topic, an area that, as it can be observed, is of great interest and is being continuously addressed.
Convocatoria
Nombre de la convocatoria:CONVOCATORIA NACIONAL PARA EL APOYO AL DESARROLLO DE TESIS DE POSGRADO O DE TRABAJOS FINALES DE ESPECIALIDADES EN EL ÁREA DE LA SALUD, DE LA UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE COLOMBIA 2017-2018
Modalidad:Modalidad 1: Apoyo a tesis de doctorado en cualquier área del conocimiento
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