TITLE:
Design of a Silicon Overlay Glass Waveguide Sensor
AUTHORS:
Kristian E. Medri, Robert C. Gauthier
KEYWORDS:
Refractive Index Sensor, Slab Waveguide, Patterned High Dielectric Overlay, FDTD, Integrated Optics
JOURNAL NAME:
Optics and Photonics Journal,
Vol.1 No.4,
December
5,
2011
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.