A fiber tip refractive index sensor using FIB-milled gold-coated singlemode-multimode-singlemode structure

摘要

A compact fiber tip refractive index sensor using FIB-milled gold-coated singlemode-multimode-singlemode structure is demonstrated. Focused ion beam (FIB) is exploited to cut the fiber tip to obtain a flat end-face and then a layer of gold is coated on the tip surface, to increase its reflection. An average sensitivity of 265 nm/RIU is obtained experimentally with a ～2.94 μm diameter singlemode-multimode-singlemode fiber tip (SMST). Because of several advantages, including compactness, ease of fabrication, linear response, high sensitivity, easy connection with other fiberized optical components and low cost, this refractive index sensor could find various applications in chemical and biological area.