Design of a Silicon Overlay Glass Waveguide Sensor

Kristian E. Medri, Robert C. Gauthier
DOI: 10.4236/opj.2011.14025                

Abstract

A glass based slab waveguide, coated with a thin patterned high dielectric overlay, is configured into a refractive index sensor. The asymmetric nature of the waveguide configuration is exploited by keeping the mode in the slab waveguide while enhancing the field level in the overlay-superstrate. The sensor's response is examined using the FDTD simulation technique. A sensitivity of up to one part in 105 in the index of refraction discrimination is determined. The nature of the sensor ensures optical fibre compatibility, requires sub-µL sample volumes and provides a high resolution.

Keywords

Refractive Index Sensor, Slab Waveguide, Patterned High Dielectric Overlay, FDTD, Integrated Optics

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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