A robust, highly sensitive chemo-optical sensor based on segmented waveguides (TOE.5071)

The potential of a novel integrated optical sensing principle as invented in the Lightwave Devices Group of MESA research institute will be evaluated. Chemical sensors based on this principle will be designed, realized and tested for some specific applications being relevant for industry.

In general integrated optical sensors are very important for measuring low chemical concentrations. The strong points originate from being optical, being a guided mode system and having the potential to build microsystems This all will lead to small, very sensitive, relatively cheap sensor systems, which can be easily structured as arrays for multipurpose sensing. Integrated optical sensor systems based on Surface Plasmon Resonance and grating coupling are already commercially available. Nearly all presently used optical sensors are based on interference, and for this reason quite sensitive but also less tolerant with respect to device fabrication.

The novel sensor is quite robust and the technology for its realisation is relatively simple affording sensing systems, which are cheap compared to other integrated optical sensors. Preliminary experiments, demonstrating a sensitivity with respect to index changes as low as 10E-7, have shown the feasibility of this principle and has resulted in a Dutch patent application.
The first objective of the project is to evaluate the full potential of this novel principle, that can be worked out in a variety of modifications and sensor lay outs. The second objective is to optimise the sensor for certain applications and to produce prototypes, that demonstrate the feasibility for these applications. These applications originate from the needs of industry.

Five companies will be involved in this project , four of them really cooperating in some aspects of the research project by making available their expertise or some of their facilities. Two of these companies, already being active in the field of integrated optical sensors have expressed their intention to produce and commercialize these sensors, provided the project will be successful.

Er zijn zeven bedrijven en één instelling bij dit project betrokken.