Abstract
The Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) can be used to test changes in the refractive index of sucrose solutions at different concentrations. However, the popularity of this measurement tool is limited by its substantial size and portability. Therefore, the MZI was integrated with a small fiber-optic waveguide component to develop an interferometer with fiber-optic characteristics, specifically a fiber-optic Mach-Zehnder interferometer (FO-MZI). Optical fiber must be processed to fabricate two optical coupling structures. The two optical coupling structures are a duplicate of the beam splitter, an optical component of the interferometer. Therefore, when the sensor length and the two optical coupling structures vary, the time or path for optical transmission in the sensor changes, thereby influencing the back-end interference signals. The researchers successfully developed an asymmetrical FO-MZI with sensing abilities. The spacing value between the troughs of the sensor length and interference signal exhibited an inverse relationship. In addition, image analysis was employed to examine the size-matching relationship between various sensor lengths and the coupling and decoupling structure. Furthermore, the spectral wavelength shift results measured using a refractive index sensor indicate that FO-MZIs with a sensor length of 38 mm exhibited excellent sensitivity, measuring 59.7 nm/RIU.
1. Introduction
Recently, several types of optical waveguide sensors or optical fiber-based refractometer have been proposed, including long period fiber gratings, Fabry-Perot interferometers, and Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZI). The operation principle of the MZI by the first coupling point induces coupling of a fraction of the incident light propagating in the core mode to the cladding mode, and the second one performs the opposite function, generating the interference of light propagating in different optical paths. The fiber-optic Mach-Zehnder interferometer (FO-MZI) is a miniaturized and economical sensor component with label-free, real-time detection abilities. The FO-MZI does not require surface modification to induce surface plasmon resonance (SPR) [1] or particle plasmon resonance (PPR) [2]. The FO-MZI has been successfully employed for measuring refractive indices and temperatures and exhibits considerable future market potential [3]. The advantage of this type of sensor is relatively simple in construction, compact, low cost, ease of use, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and high sensitivity to the external refractive index (RI).
This study proposes a coupling and decoupling structure (which is a duplicate of the beam splitter in traditional interferometers) for the FO-MZI; thus, the structural characteristics are identical to those of a beam splitter, inducing coupling and decoupling during fiber-optic transmissions [4], as shown in Figure 1. Previous studies have examined the FO-MZI; however, few have investigated the influence that sensor length variations have on interference signals. The optical coupling and decoupling structure does not need to be linked to an optical source or spectrometer. Interference signals are obtained by satisfying the size-matching criterion for the specific structure.
(a) The fiber-optic Mach-Zehnder interferometer
(b) The traditional Mach-Zehnder interferometer
2. Experimental
2.1. Fabrication of FO-MZI Using a CO2 Laser
This study adopted a CO2 laser-processing method, which is simple, rapid, and flexible for correcting basic parameters. We employed a single-mode communication optical fiber as the material for producing the FO-MZI because intermodal dispersion does not exist in single modes; therefore, single modes can be applied to long-distance transmissions. Furthermore, the small size of the single-mode communication optical fiber is ideal (see Figure 2) [5].
The production process equipment for the CO2 laser is shown in Figure 3. The researchers used a crimping tool to remove the fiber cladding layer covering the area required to develop the coupling and decoupling structure. The optical fiber was subsequently placed on a CO2 laser-processing platform, and an amplified spontaneous emission CL waveband optical source was steered onto the left end of the optical fiber [3]. An optical spectrum analyzer was connected to the right end of the optical fiber. Suitable processing parameters for the CO2 laser were adjusted using a computer, and a heat removal method was employed, using the CO2 laser to remove the specific target area. Thus, the coupling and decoupling structure was established, satisfying the criterion for forming interference.
2.2. Principle of FO-MZI
A schematic of FO-MZI is shown in Figure 1(a), in which sensing length denotes the distance between the two coupling points. The beam splitters of the MZI were made by forming two coupling regions at two positions separated by a distance in the fiber. An incident light propagating as a core mode is split into the core mode and the cladding modes after passing through the first coupling region. The light of the cladding modes is recombined with the core mode after the second coupling region, resulting in an interference pattern if the phase matching condition is properly fulfilled. This section of single-mode fiber with a pair of coupling regions functions as a MZI interferometer. The interference fringe pattern can be finely tuned by adjusting the loss strength of the two coupling regions and their separation.
2.3. Sensor Length Control
This study covered the following s for the FO-MZI: 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, and 50 mm. Each length of FO-MZI samples comprised 10 sensors. Optical sources and spectrometers were used for real-time monitoring to observe the variations in interference signals for FO-MZIs with different lengths.
2.4. Measurements for the Coupling and Decoupling Structures
In this study, the FO-MZI produced using a CO2 laser was asymmetrical (see Figure 1). In other words, the coupling and decoupling structure was only on one side of the optical fiber. The removed area was small, the structure was simple, and the duration was short. Therefore, the occurrence of production errors was reduced. Because of its excellent mechanical strength, the optical fiber was not prone to breaking. In addition, the radially symmetric exterior of the optical fiber was not welded [7] or etched [8].
The heat accumulation and thermal diffusion effects of the material used for CO2 laser-processing affect a portion of the material. Therefore, this section presents the use of a noncontact image-measuring instrument for measuring the size-matching relationship between FO-MZIs with different s to establish a database as a reference for future production processes. However, general detection platforms cannot be used to fixate the FO-MZI accurately, leading to measurement and determination errors, thereby reducing the reliability of the acquired size. To eliminate measurement errors, the fixture shown in Figure 4 was designed. At the center of this fixture, an auxiliary line was hypothesized. The center line divides two equal parts (see Figure 5). The optical coupling and decoupling structure was adjusted to satisfy the criterion of the center line, establish a side view of the structure, and achieve a vertical charged-coupled device lens for correction.
2.5. Refractive Index Detection
As shown in the experiment framework presented in Figure 6, we placed the FO-MZI on a detection platform and connected each end of the sensor to an optical source and spectrometer to detect variations in the interference signals. The test solution was then introduced into a butterfly needle catheter using a syringe. Deionized (DI) water with a refractive index of 1.333 RIU was injected, and sucrose solutions between 1.343 RIU and 1.373 RIU were separately injected into the microfluidic channel of the chip. The injected solutions interacted with the FO-MZI in the microfluidic channel, as shown in Figure 7. A shift in the interference signal was observed, and the FO-MZI having the optimal , which exhibited excellent sensitivity, was subsequently identified.
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. The Relationship between Various Lengths and Interference Signal
The analysis results of the spacing value between troughs of various s are shown in Table 1. The results in Table 1 indicated that an inverse relationship existed between and the average spacing value between troughs of various s. This inverse relationship results from variations in the interference signal caused by the direct influence that a specific has on the time for transmitting split beams to the coupling structure [4, 9]. Consider where represents the center wavelength and indicates the effective refractive index of various modes. Both values are fixed; therefore, when the is increased, the spacing value between the troughs of the interference signal decreases. This finding verified the inverse relationship between the and the spacing value between the troughs of the FO-MZI developed in this study, thereby validating the theoretical relationship. The fitting results were approximate to an inverse curve, which indicated that the basic requirements for the FO-MZI were fulfilled, as shown in Figure 8. The relationship between various s and the spacing values between troughs are shown in Figure 9. The average spacing is given by where is the spacing value between the troughs of the interference signal and is the number of spacing.
(a)
(b)
(c)
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(e)
3.2. Optical Coupling and Decoupling Structures
The image measurement results of FO-MZIs with various s (see Table 2) show that the size matching of the structural width and depth varied according to the , as shown in Figure 10. When the CO2 laser was used to produce a coupling and decoupling structure, an FO-MZI with interference signals can be established after satisfying the matching relationship criterion of the specific database. However, repeated processing resulted in greater removal of the material for the coupling and decoupling structure, directly affecting the depth of the structure.
3.3. Refractive Index Measurement Results for Various Lengths
The experiments were repeated three times to measure the refractive index of various s according to spectral signal variations, as shown in Table 3. This study showed that the fluidic channel of general sensor chips is linear, whereas the FO-MZI is asymmetrical, as shown in Figure 11. Therefore, ensuring that the chip is placed precisely on the coupling and decoupling structure can be difficult during packaging. Other factors, such as the phase angle and test solution residue, can also influence the signal detection stability.
In response to this concern, this study proposed an improved groove chip, as shown in Figure 12. Refractive index measurements of the linear and groove fluidic channel chips were obtained. The measurement results are shown in Table 4. Compared with the linear fluidic channel, the groove fluidic channel exhibited a higher linear regression value, indicating greater reliability. Furthermore, the sensing sensitivity of the groove fluidic channel chip rose from 45 nm/RIU to 54.4 nm/RIU. Therefore, the microfluidic channel of a sensor chips is another key factor that influences the sensing results. Subsequently, the range decreased, as shown in Table 5, and an optimal sensitivity of 59.7 nm/RIU was detected at an of 38 mm, as shown in Figure 13. Based on the results, groove or linear fluidic channel chip (shape), sensing length, and depth of removal are important fabrication parameters of the FO-MZI sensor. The sensor sensitivity of FO-MZI can be enhanced by these parameters which is based on the evanescent wave extends [10, 11].
4. Conclusion
This study employed a CO2 laser and successfully developed an asymmetric FO-MZI with a sensing function. The sensor length between the two removals on the fiber surface and the spacing value between the troughs of the interference signal exhibited an inverse relationship. An image analysis method was proposed to examine the relationship between various s and the size matching of the coupling and decoupling structures. For future production of the FO-MZI using CO2 lasers, coupling and decoupling structures with interference can be established by referencing the database proposed in this study. Finally, the results of the refractive index measurements for the spectral wavelength shifts of the FO-MZIs with various s indicate that a superior sensitivity (59.7 nm/RIU) was exhibited at an of 38 mm. The asymmetrical FO-MZI proposed in this study had significant advantages, including a simple structure and an easy production process. Among all interferometer types (with a coupling or decoupling structure), the refractive index measurement results of the FO-MZI exhibited higher sensitivity, as shown in Table 6. Proper selections of groove or linear fluidic channel chip (shape), sensing length, and depth of removal could yield even higher sensitivity. The unique sensing features are particularly suited for a wide variety of applications in smart structures, gain equalizer, telecommunications, and optical-sensor systems.
Conflict of Interests
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.
Acknowledgments
The support for this study provided by the National Science Council (Taiwan) through Grant nos. NSC-101-2120-M-194-001-CC2, NSC-101-2221-E-020-010-MY3, NSC-102-2221-E-224-065-MY2, NSC-102-2221-E-020-020, and NSC 103-2811-M-194-001 is acknowledged. Chien Hsing Chen acknowledges the support of postdoctoral research fellowship from National Science Council, Taiwan.