Optical micro-resonator chemical sensor

摘要

Polymers that contain conjugated molecules can change their index of refraction upon bonding with high explosive molecules. These polymers can be incorporated into micro-ring resonators as trace explosive sensor. Since the resonator cavity itself is made of sensing material, the detection is intrinsic, which may lead to higher sensitivity and faster response than other fiber optic chemical sensors. Photobleaching was used for the fabrication of the microrings resonators. The sensor has shown ppb level of sensitivity to the vapor of an explosive stimulant 2,4-dinitrotoluene and is insensitive to common chemical pollutants including nitrates, sulfates and phosphates.