Mode-multiplexed waveguide sensor

Abstract

Optical sensors enable quantification of analyte concentrations non-invasively without being affected from electromagnetic fields. The development of single-mode waveguides (WGs) is simple approach; however, limitations in the spatial distribution of the refractive index and the inability to sense multiple samples at the same time. Here, we demonstrate a multi-mode WG model and matrix inversion method (MIM) to improve spatial information in at least one dimension. This method is used to optimize and estimate three external stimulus properties in TE₀₀, TE₀₁ and TM₀₀ multiplexed modes for a semi-triangular ring resonator configuration. The multi-mode WG and MIM may have applications in the development of biosensors for multi-analyte detection.

Keywords:

• Multi-mode waveguides
• mode multiplexing
• directional couplers
• optical sensing
• sensors

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr. Matthias Jäger, Dr. Michael Stich, Prof. Zahirul Hoque Mozumder, I. K. Alam Bhuiyan, Areej Badar, and Prof. Dr.-Ing Klaus Petermann for their valuable suggestions, comments, and fruitful discussions. Dr. Haider Butt thanks the Leverhulme Trust for research funding.