Abstract
We propose and numerically investigate an integrated optics refractometric nano-opto-fluidic sensor based on whispering gallery modes in sapphire microspheres. A measurand fluid is injected in a micromachined reservoir defined in between the microsphere and an optical waveguide. The wavelength shift due to changes in the refractive index of the measurand fluid are studied for a set of different configurations by the finite element method and a high sensitivity versus fluid volume is found. The proposed device can be tailored to work with a minimum fluid volume of 1 pl and a sensitivity up of 2000 nm/(RIUnl). We introduce a figure of merit which quantifies the amplifying effect on the sensitivity of high quality factor resonators and allows us to compare different devices.
| Original language | English |
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| Article number | 105104 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1-9 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics |
| Volume | 46 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 |