4453

ISU researchers have developed a process that relates to nano-patterning at the tip of an optic fiber for waveguide and remote sensing functionalities.  The invention includes techniques of nanopatterning that can be less complex as well as high resolution and rapid. Using these developments, researchers have created a new sensor built on a plasmonic crystal structure coated with graphene oxide (GO)---Other gas/liquid specific coatings can be supported.  The sensor allows selective detection of different species in gaseous/aqueous form through the tuning of the refractive index via the design of the nanostructure, and its modulation under exposure to varying concentrations of species.

The ability of creating high-resolution nanopatterns on the tip of optical fiber has a great potential to open up many possibilities of realizing applications involving remote sensing based on optical refractive index modulation with different detection devices such as diffraction gratings, photonic crystals, and nanophotonic resonators.  This invention is a simple and efficient method to inscribe high-resolution nanophotonic patterns on the cleaved facets of optical fibers using UV assisted nanoimprinting lithography.  Using this innovative process, researchers at ISU have developed a new sensor built on a plasmonic crystal structure coated with GO---Other gas/liquid specific coatings can be supported.  The sensor allows selective detection of different species through the tuning of the refractive index via the design of the nanostructure, and its modulation under exposure to varying concentrations of the species.

This technology is related to ISURF 4729: Integrated Dual-Modality Microfluidic Sensor for Biomarker Detection

• A simplified and efficient process to fabricate nanopatterns on optical fiber tip

• Utilization of the guided mode resonance (GMR) structure to monitor surrounding refractive index changes

• Allows selective detection of different species in gaseous/aqueous form with subtle variations in concentratio

• Selective coating used for to allow surface binding and refractive index modulatio

• Validated by the Principle Component Analysis based pattern recognition algorithm

• Demonstration that graphene oxide coated plasmonic design provides both sensitivity and specificity to gas species

Agriculture, environmental and health monitoring