Refractive index sensitivity characteristics near the dispersion turning point of the multimode microfiber-based Mach–Zehnder interferometer

Haipeng Luo, Qizhen Sun, Xiaolei Li, Zhijun Yan, Yanpeng Li, Deming Liu, Lin Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The turning point of the refractive index (RI) sensitivity based on the multimode microfiber (MMMF) in-line Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) is observed. By tracking the resonant wavelength shift of the MZI generated between the HE11 and HE12 modes in the MMMF, the surrounding RI (SRI) could be detected. Theoretical analysis demonstrates that the RI sensitivity will reach ±∞ on either side of the turning point due to the group effective RI difference (퐺) approaching zero. Significantly, the positive sensitivity exists in a very wide fiber diameter range, while the negative sensitivity can be achieved in a narrow diameter range of only 0.3 μm. Meanwhile, the experimental sensitivities and variation trend at different diameters exhibit high consistency with the theoretical results. High RI sensitivity of 10777.8 nm/RIU (RI unit) at the fiber diameter of 4.6 μm and the RI around 1.3334 is realized. The discovery of the sensitivity turning points has great significance on trace detection due to the possibility of ultrahigh RI sensitivity.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5042-5045
Number of pages4
JournalOptics Letters
Volume40
Issue number21
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2015

Bibliographical note

© 2015 Optical Society of America. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modifications of the content of this paper are prohibited.

Funding: National Natural Science Foundation of China (61275004); Sub‐Project of the Major Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (61290315); European Commission's Marie Curie International Incoming fellowship (328263); Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province for Distinguished Young
Scholars (2014CFA036).

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