All-polymer fiber-optic pH sensor

Various Types of Light Guides for Use in Lossy Mode Resonance-Based Sensors

A comparative study of figure-of-merit fiber sensors of the mass concentration of NaCl solutions based on single-mode and multi-mode fibers was carried out. Lossy mode resonance is realized on chemically thinned sections of optical fibers to various diameters (from 26 to 100 μm) coated with ZnTe. Thin-film coatings were applied using the method of metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). Samples of single-mode and multi-mode fiber sensors were created in such a way that the depth and spectral position of resonances in aqueous NaCl solutions coincided. Sensors implemented on a single-mode fiber have a higher sensitivity (5930 nm/refractive index unit (RIU)) compared to those on a multi-mode fiber (4860 nm/RIU) and a smaller half-width of the resonance in the transmission spectrum. According to the results of experiments, figure-of-merit sensors are in the range of refractive indices of 1.33-1.35 for: multi-mode fiber-25 RIU^-1, single-mode fiber-75 RIU^-1. The sensitivity of the resulting sensors depends on the surface roughness of the ZnTe coating. The roughness of films synthesized on a single-mode fiber is four times higher than this parameter for a coating on a multi-mode fiber. For the first time, in the transmission spectrum during the synthesis of a thin-film coating on a multi-mode fiber, the possibility of separating the first nine orders of resonances into electric and magnetic transverse components has been demonstrated. The characteristics of sensors with the operating wavelength range in the visible (500-750 nm) and infrared (1350-1550 nm) regions of the spectrum are compared. The characteristics of multi-mode lossy mode resonance sensors are demonstrated, which make them more promising for use in applied devices than for laboratory research.

Microwave-sensor-node integrated into a short-range wireless sensor network

This paper presents the first microwave-sensor-node integrated into a short-range wireless sensor network based on ZigBee technology. The node includes an analog front-end circuit, a Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave generator, an Analog-to-Digital-Converter module, a transceiver, a power unit, a processing unit and a new one-port dielectric permittivity sensor which is able to measuring the separation of structural cracks by the reflection coefficient measured in microwave frequencies. The analog front-end is composed of a pair of power dividers, an isolator and a mixer. The dielectric permittivity sensor is based on a patch antenna of variable length. The processing unit and transceiver are implemented with an Arduino UNO and an XBee module respectively. Additionally, the methodology for data processing is presented and the results of the measurement of a synthetic crack are presented. The results show that the system was successfully implemented with a sensitivity of 0.07 GHz/mm, for an opening range of between 0 and 5 mm and for a frequency range ranging from 2.782 GHz to 3.131 GHz. It is important to mention that the measurement was done remotely, placing the sensor 3 m from the client PC.

Compact fiber sensor for pH measurement based on the composite effect of hydrogel deformation and LC refractive index variation

A novel, to the best of our knowledge, type of compact pH fiber sensor combined with a hydrogel based on the whispering gallery mode (WGM) is proposed and integrates a liquid crystal (LC) microdroplet in a capillary in a compact structure as small as 180 µm. In the research, the hydrogel performs both as a supporting frame and a responsive material that causes morphological deformation of the LC microdroplet with pH variation. Moreover, a new phenomenon of pH-induced LC refractive index variation is observed and applied in the pH measurement, so that the acid itself can also lead the LC microdroplet structure transition. Thus, the WGM method is applied to detect the composite effect simultaneously to improve the sensing capability. The sensitivity of the sensor in the pH range from 4.55 to 6.86 reaches 3.19 nm/pH. The response time is short, within 60 s. The simple and compact structure of the sensor reduces the cost and enhances the stability, which is of great potential for biomedical pH measurement.

Distributed pH sensing based on hydrogel coated single mode fibers and optical frequency domain reflectometry

We propose a distributed pH sensor based on an optical frequency domain reflectometry using a PEGDA-based pH-sensitive hydrogel coated on a single mode fiber. The volume of hydrogel increased as pH value of the surrounding fluid decreased, which converts the pH value to the axial strain in the fiber. Taking capacity of distributed strain measurement with high spatial resolution in optical frequency domain reflectometry, the pH value of the external medium is distributed measured by the wavelength shifts of the local Rayleigh backscattering spectra. The basic hydrogel with different molecular weight was optimized to balance the sensitivity, the response time and also the stability. In the experiment, the range of the pH value from 2 to 6 was measured with a sampling resolution of 1.7 mm, a sensitivity of -199 pm/pH and a response time of 14 min when the hydrogel coating diameter is 2 mm. Such a distributed pH sensing system has a potential to detect and locate some chemical or biological substances in a large-scale environment.

Rapid-Response and Wide-Range pH Sensors Enabled by Self-Assembled Functional PAni/PAA Layer on No-Core Fiber

The measurement of pH has received great attention in diverse fields, such as clinical diagnostics, environmental protection, and food safety. Optical fiber sensors are widely used for pH sensing because of their great advantages. In this work, an optical fiber pH sensor is fabricated, by combining the merits of the multimode interference configuration and pH-sensitive polyaniline/polyacrylic acid (PAni/PAA) coatings, which was successfully in situ deposited on the no-core fiber (NCF) by the layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly method. The sensors' performance was experimentally characterized when used for pH detection. It has a high sensitivity of 0.985 nm/pH and a great linear response in a universal pH range of 2-12. The response time and recovery time is measured to be less than 10 s. In addition, its temperature sensitivity is tested to be about 0.01 nm/°C with a low temperature crosstalk effect, which makes it promising for detecting pH in the liquid phase with temperature variation. The sensors also demonstrated easy fabrication, good stability, and repeatability, which are adapted to pH detection in most practical applications.

A Portable ‘Plug-and-Play’ Fibre Optic Sensor for In-Situ Measurements of pH Values for Microfluidic Applications

Microfluidics is used in many applications ranging from chemistry, medicine, biology and biomedical research, and the ability to measure pH values in-situ is an important parameter for creating and monitoring environments within a microfluidic chip for many such applications. We present a portable, optical fibre-based sensor for monitoring the pH based on the fluorescent intensity change of an acrylamidofluorescein dye, immobilized on the tip of a multimode optical fibre, and its performance is evaluated in-situ in a microfluidic channel. The sensor showed a sigmoid response over the pH range of 6.0–8.5, with a maximum sensitivity of 0.2/pH in the mid-range at pH 7.5. Following its evaluation, the sensor developed was used in a single microfluidic PDMS channel and its response was monitored for various flow rates within the channel. The results thus obtained showed that the sensor is sufficiently robust and well-suited to be used for measuring the pH value of the flowing liquid in the microchannel, allowing it to be used for a number of practical applications in ‘lab-on-a-chip’ applications where microfluidics are used. A key feature of the sensor is its simplicity and the ease of integrating the sensor with the microfluidic channel being probed.

Properties of Fiber Bragg Grating in CYTOP Fiber Response to Temperature, Humidity, and Strain Using Factorial Design

The characteristics of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) in cyclic transparent fluoropolymer (CYTOP) optical fiber have attracted more and more attention in recent years. However, different results of the FBG response to environmental parameters are reported. This work presents a three-variable two-level factorial experimental method to investigate the FBG response to temperature, humidity, and strain in CYTOP fiber. Two uniform FBGs are inscribed separately in CYTOP fiber with and without over-clad. With only eight measuring points, the interactions among three variable parameters are computed and the parameter sensitivities and cross-sensitivities are estimated. Similar temperature and strain sensitivities were found for both gratings, whereas significant cross-sensitivity between humidity and temperature was present only in FBG inscribed in CYTOP fiber with over-clad.

Analysis of the Relative Humidity Response of Hydrophilic Polymers for Optical Fiber Sensing

Relative humidity (RH) monitorization is of extreme importance on scientific and industrial applications, and optical fiber sensors (OFS) may provide adequate solutions. Typically, these kinds of sensors depend on the usage of humidity responsive polymers, thus creating the need for the characterization of the optical and expansion properties of these materials. Four different polymers, namely poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(ethylene glycol), Hydromed™ D4 and microbiology agar were characterized and tested using two types of optical sensors. First, optical fiber Fabry–Perot (FP) tips were made, which allow the dynamical measurement of the polymers’ response to RH variations, in particular of refractive index, film thickness, and critical deliquescence RH. Using both FP tips and Long-Period fiber gratings, the polymers were then tested as RH sensors, allowing a comparison between the different polymers and the different OFS. For the case of the FP sensors, the PEG tips displayed excellent sensitivity above 80%RH, outperforming the other polymers. In the case of LPFGs, the 10% (wt/wt) PVA one displayed excellent sensitivity in a larger working range (60 to 100%RH), showing a valid alternative to lower RH environment sensing.

Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes from 1,8-Naphthimide-Based Polymer/Poly(vinyl alcohol) for pH Fluorescence Sensing

Accurately and sensitively sensing and monitoring the pH in the environment is a key fundamental issue for human health. Nanomaterial and nanotechnology combined with fluorescent materials can be emerged as excellent possible methods to develop high-performance sensing membranes and help monitor pH. Herein, a series of fluorescent nanofiber membranes (NFMs) containing poly-1,8-naphthimide derivative-3-[dimethyl-[2-(2-methylprop-2-enoyloxy)ethyl]azaniumyl]propane-1-sulfonate (PNI-SBMA) are fabricated by electrospinning the solution of PNI-SBMA blended with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The surfactant-like functionalities in side chains of PNI-SBMA endow the NFMs with outstanding hydrophilicity, and the naphthimide derivatives are sensitive to pH by photoinduced electron transfer effect, which contribute to highly efficient pH fluorescence sensing applications of NFMs. Specifically, the PNI-SBMA/PVA NFM with a ratio of 1:9 (NFM2) shows high sensitivity and good cyclability to pH. This work demonstrates an effective strategy to realize a fluorescent sensor NFM that has a fast and sensitive response to pH, which will benefit its application of pH sensor monitoring in the water treatment process.

Optical Hydrogel Detector for pH Measurements

Measuring pH has become a major key for determining health conditions, and food safety. The traditional pH assessment approaches are costly and offer low sensitivity. Here, a novel pH sensor based on a pH-responsive hydrogel has been developed. A Fresnel lens pattern was replicated on the surface of the pH-responsive hydrogel using the replica mould method. The pH sensors were tested in a pH range of 4-7. Introducing various pH solutions to the pH sensor led to volumetric shifts as the hydrogel swelled with pH. Consequently, the dimensions of the replicated Fresnel lens changed, modifying the focal length and the focus efficiency of the optical sensor. As a result, the measured optical power at a fixed distance from the sensor changed with pH. The optical sensor showed the best performance in the acidic region when pH changed from 4.5 to 5.5, in which the recorded power increased by 13%. The sensor exhibited high sensitivity to pH changes with a short respond time in a reversible manner. The developed pH optical sensor may have applications in medical point-of-care diagnostics and wearable continuous pH detection devices.

Recent Achievements on Grating Fabrications in Polymer Optical Fibers with Photosensitive Dopants: A Review

This review discusses recent achievements on grating fabrications in polymer optical fibers doped with photosensitive materials. First, different photosensitive dopants in polymer optical fibers (POFs) are summarized, and their refractive index change mechanisms are discussed. Then, several different doping methods to fabricate the photosensitive POFs are presented. Following that, the principles of gratings, including standard fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs), tilted fiber Bragg gratings (TFBGs), chirped fiber Bragg gratings (CFBGs), phase-shifted fiber Bragg gratings (PSFBGs), and long period fiber gratings (LPFGs), are reported. Finally, fabrications of different gratings based on photosensitive POFs in the last 20 years are reported. We present our article clearly and logically, so that it will be helpful for researchers to explore a broad perspective on this proposed topic. Overall, the content provides a comprehensive overview of photosensitive POF fabrications and grating inscriptions in photosensitive POFs, including previous breakthroughs and recent advancements.

Large refractive index modulation based on a BDK-doped step-index PMMA optical fiber for highly reflective Bragg grating inscription

We experimentally report high reflectivity on the poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-based polymer optical fiber Bragg gratings by means of a 266 nm pulsed laser and phase mask technique. In the first recipe, fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) were manufactured with a single pulse up to 3.7 mJ. After post-annealing, a stable refractive index change up to 4.2×10^-4 was obtained. In the second recipe, FBGs were inscribed by 22 pulses with a lower pulse energy of 1.4 mJ, showing a stable refractive index change of 6.2×10^-4. Both behaviors may mainly be attributed to the movement of initiating radicals arising from benzyl dimethyl ketal (BDK) under UV irradiation. The high refractive index change in step-index fibers paves the way to tilted FBG manufacturing with large tilt angles potentially for biomedical applications.

Temperature self-calibrated pH sensor based on GO/PVA-coated MZI cascading FBG

A temperature self-calibrated potential of hydrogen (pH) sensor based on the single mode fiber-tapered dual core photonic crystal fiber-single mode fiber (SMF-TDCPCF-SMF) structure cascaded with a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is proposed and demonstrated. The TDCPCF structure formed Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) is modified with a coating of graphene oxide/polyvinyl alcohol (GO/PVA) hybrid hydrogel to realize the measurement of pH, and the uncoated FBG is used to calibrate temperature. In our experiment, the sensitivity coefficient of 0.69 nm/pH with R²=0.99 and the hysteresis loss of less than 0.007 are achieved within the pH range from pH 4.00 to pH 9.85. The measured response time from pH 7.00 to pH 4.00, 6.00 and 9.85 are no higher than 10s. Moreover, the resonant wavelengths of MZI and FBG also exhibit good linear relationship with the temperature sensitivity coefficient of 0.15 nm/°C (R²=0.99) and 0.09 nm/°C (R²=0.97) respectively. It is demonstrated successfully that the proposed sensor has broad application prospects in the field of environmental monitoring, biological sensing and chemical analysis, due to the good performance of the temperature self-calibrated pH monitoring, repeatability, linearity, response time and reversibility.

Soft and Stretchable Optical Waveguide: Light Delivery and Manipulation at Complex Biointerfaces Creating Unique Windows for On-Body Sensing

Over the past few decades, optical waveguides have been increasingly used in wearable/implantable devices for on-body sensing. However, conventional optical waveguides are stiff, rigid, and brittle. A mismatch between conventional optical waveguides and complex biointerfaces makes wearable/implantable devices uncomfortable to wear and potentially unsafe. Soft and stretchable polymer optical waveguides not only inherit many advantages of conventional optical waveguides (e.g., immunity to electromagnetic interference and without electrical hazards) but also provide a new perspective for solving the mismatch between conventional optical waveguides and complex biointerfaces, which is essential for the development of light-based wearable/implantable sensors. In this review, polymer optical waveguides' unique properties, including flexibility, biocompatibility and biodegradability, porosity, and stimulus responsiveness, and their applications in the wearable/implantable field in recent years are summarized. Then, we briefly discuss the current challenges of high optical loss, unstable signal transmission, low manufacturing efficiency, and difficulty in deployment during implantation of flexible polymer optical waveguides, and propose some possible solutions to these problems.

No-core fiber interferometry pH sensor based on a polyvinyl alcohol/polyacrylic acid and silica/polyvinyl alcohol/polyacrylic acid hydrogel coating

In this paper, we present an investigation on the sensing performance of a pH sensor based on a modal interferometer formed by a simple NO-core fiber interferometer (NCFI) that operates in transmission mode. The fundamental configuration of this sensor encompasses a single-mode-no-core-single-mode fiber (SMF-NCF-SMF "SNCS") segment chain. The chemical etching method has been used with hydrofluoric (HF) acid to prepare diverse NCF diameters. This was proposed to expand the evanescent fields and enhance sensor sensitivity. Then, the two diverse segments of etched NCF were cladded with polymeric composite fabricated by polyvinyl alcohol/polyacrylic acid (PVA/PAA) hydrogel and pure silica nanoparticles embedded in polyvinyl alcohol/polyacrylic acid (SiO₂@PVA/PAA) hydrogel, respectively, for more sensing enhancement. Our results reveal that the PAA/PVA coating is a candidate coating material for acidic sensing, while SiO₂@PVA/PAA is more appropriate for the base sensing, in which these coating materials show enhancement in the sensitivity above the NCF structure before an uncoated sensor due to greater enhancement of the evanescent field affected by the coating layer. The experimental results demonstrate a high average sensitivity of 3.42 nm/pH unit for the 11 w.t.% PVA/PAA coated sensor in the pH range from 1 to 7 and 3.2 nm/pH unit in the pH range from 8 to 14. The sensor also displays high repeatability and stability and low cross-sensitivity to temperature. The simple fabrication and high sensitivity of this sensor may prompt many potential applications in the fields of biology and chemistry.

Hydrogel based Fabry-Pérot cavity for a pH sensor

A simple, reliable, and quick reactive Fabry-Pérot (FP) structure-based fiber optic pH sensor is presented. The pH-sensitive hydrogel and single-mode fiber (SMF) are placed inside a fused silica capillary to form the FP cavity. The gel thickness is characterized by the spin coating method with respect to different spin speeds. The proposed sensor shows a pH sensitivity of 0.30 nm/pH along with a fast response time of 15 s to 20 s for different pH solvents in the acidic range. Also, the temperature sensitivity of the FPI sensor is found to be -0.56 nm/°C.

Fast response microfiber-optic pH sensor based on a polyaniline sensing layer

The microfiber-optic interferential sensor based on polyaniline (PANI) sensing layer is efficiently performed in pH detection. The refractive index changes of PANI film can be translated into a significant wavelength shift in the interferometric fringe. We demonstrate the feasibility of PANI attached to the fiber surface in studying the interface polymerization method. The sensing performances of an improved sensitivity in acid solution with -0.54nm/pH and alkaline solution with 0.28 nm/pH are systematically investigated. By taking advantage of its miniature size and mechanical flexibility, the microfiber interferential sensor might make a promising platform for pH measurement.

High-sensitivity, high-resolution polymer fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor harnessing microwave photonic filtering response analysis

Polymer optical fiber Bragg gratings (POFBGs) provide an efficient, robust, and cost-effective approach for humidity sensing. In this Letter, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a high-sensitivity and high-resolution POFBG-based humidity sensor that utilizes microwave photonic filtering response analysis. A POFBG and a silica FBG are used as the sensing probes, and a two-tap microwave photonic filter is developed to enable the high precision interrogation. Since only the poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) based fiber is sensitive to humidity, the wavelength shift due to the humidity change is converted into the change of frequency response of the microwave photonic filter. A relationship between the humidity and the free spectral range (FSR) of the microwave photonic filter is established as the interrogation technique. Compared with the traditional approach by directly monitoring the wavelength shift using an optical spectrum analyzer, our proposed scheme can increase the humidity sensor resolution by two orders of magnitude, which greatly increases the accuracy of the humidity sensor, making it possible and feasible in many potential high-precision applications.

Single nanosecond-pulse production of polymeric fiber Bragg gratings for biomedical applications

In this study, we present first-time fabrication of FBGs in all ZEONEX-based SMPOFs with a single 25 ns pulse of 248 nm UV irradiation over a 12-month period, which opens up new frontiers in optics and photonics for the effective fabrication of polymer optical fiber Bragg gratings (POFBGs), permitting mass producibility of them. POFBGs were characterized by subjecting them to various physical parameters including temperature and tensile strain. Strain responses of FBGs with similar grating strengths fabricated with 248 nm and 325 nm He-Cd laser irradiations were explored over a year to demonstrate their long-term stability and applicability. Owing to the unique features of the proposed sensing device fabricated by embedding POFBGs in silicone rubber, a good performance in the detection of human heart rate with an amplitude of 4 pm, which is 4 times higher compared to that of silica single mode fiber (SMF) was demonstrated. The response of the sensing device during a human respiration process was also explored where exhalation and inhalation were monitored and distinguished while the breath was held. These revelations signify the importance of ZEONEX-based POFBGs, which allow consistent and effective grating fabrication and are highly promising in the foreseeable future for biomedical applications.

Flexible porphyrin doped polymer optical fibers for rapid and remote detection of trace DNT vapor

With the rapid growth of anti-terrorist activities worldwide, it becomes an emerging requirement to rapidly and accurately detect hidden explosive threats. However, the safety issue during the explosive material detection, e.g. unexpected explosion, is still an insurmountable challenge. In this study, we design and mass-produce a novel kind of flexible 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-aminophenyl)porphyrin doped polymer optical fiber (PPOF) for rapid and accurate detection of trace 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) vapor based on the DNT induced florescence quenching mechanism. The influence of doping concentration, bending, and temperature on the sensing performance is investigated. PPOF shows immunity to bending, enabling it to work in a harsh environment. It is experimentally demonstrated that the limit of detection and response time of the proposed PPOF could reach around 120 ppb and 3 minutes, respectively, which make it much better than other techniques. Owning to its inherent advantages including low-cost, remote-control capability, and compatibility with optical communication networking, PPOF can be constructed the quasi-distributed sensing networking of explosive matters in the future, providing a new strategy for anti-terrorism.

Impact of high UV fluences on the mechanical and sensing properties of polymer optical fibers for high strain measurements

PMMA-based fibers are widely studied for strain measurements and show repeatable results for Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) inscribed using 325 nm laser and 248 nm laser. However, there is no available material mechanical behavior characterization of the UV source impact on the fiber properties. In this manuscript, fibers are irradiated with high fluence of 325 nm and 248 nm lasers and the fibers properties are investigated using dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile strain for potential use of these fibers past the yield point. It is demonstrated that the UV sources shifted the ultimate tensile strength and changed the strain hardening behavior. Tensile strain measurements show excellent repeatability for gratings inscribed with these two sources with similar sensitivity of 1.305 nm/mɛ for FBG inscribe with 325 nm laser, and 1.345 nm/mɛ for grating written with 248 nm laser in the range 0 to 1.5 % elongation. Furthermore, tests far beyond the yield point (up to 2.8 % elongation) show that grating inscribed with lower UV wavelength exhibit hysteresis. Finally, we demonstrate that 248 nm laser fluence shall be chosen carefully whereas even high 325 nm laser fluence do not critically impact the sensor properties.

Artificial compound eye-tipped optical fiber for wide field illumination

In this Letter, we present a novel, to the best of our knowledge, component with beam delivering and wide field beam homogenizing functions by grafting an artificial compound eye (ACE) micro-structure onto the polymer optical fiber (POF) end face. The 3D ACE mold is fabricated by femtosecond laser-assisted micro machining, and the ACE micro-structure is transferred onto the end face through high accuracy nano-imprinting. The resultant POF end face integrates over 400 spherical micro-lenses, enabling a 40% enhancement in both the acceptance angle and the effective numerical aperture. Meanwhile, the integrated ommatidia array serves as an outstanding beam homogenizer, shaping the output beam into quasi flat-top distribution, which demonstrates promise in wide field homogeneous illumination, by reflection and transmission imaging experiments in both visible and near infrared bands.

Modal interferometric refractive index sensing in microstructured exposed core fibres

Optical fibre-based sensors measuring refractive index shift in bodily fluids and tissues are versatile and accurate probes of physiological processes. Here, we suggest a refractive index sensor based on a microstructured exposed-core fibre (ECF). By considering a high refractive index coating of the exposed core, our modelling demonstrates the splitting of the guided mode into a surface sensing mode and a mode that is isolated from the surface. With the isolated mode acting as a reference arm, this two-mode one-fibre solution provides for robust interferometric sensing with a sensitivity of up to 60, 000 rad/RIU-cm, which is suitable for sensing subtle physiological processes within hard-to-reach places inside living organisms, such as the spinal cord, ovarian tract and blood vessels.

Gas Pressure Sensor Based on BDK-Doped Polymer Optical Fiber

This paper presents a high sensitivity gas pressure sensor with benzyl-dimethylketal (BDK)-doped polymer optical fiber Bragg grating (POFBG), whose sensitivity is up to 8.12 pm/kPa and 12.12 pm/kPa in positive and negative pressure atmosphere, respectively. The high sensitivity can be explained by its porous chemical structure. The stability and response behavior under air pressure atmosphere has also been investigated. The new understanding of the air pressure response principle and sensitivity difference for the presented sensor can be a worthy reference.

Polymer Optical Fiber Sensors in Healthcare Applications: A Comprehensive Review

Advances in medicine and improvements in life quality has led to an increase in the life expectancy of the general population. An ageing world population have placed demands on the use of assistive technology and, in particular, towards novel healthcare devices and sensors. Besides the electromagnetic field immunity, polymer optical fiber (POF) sensors have additional advantages due to their material features such as high flexibility, lower Young’s modulus (enabling high sensitivity for mechanical parameters), higher elastic limits, and impact resistance. Such advantages are well-aligned with the instrumentation requirements of many healthcare devices and in movement analysis. Aiming at these advantages, this review paper presents the state-of-the-art developments of POF sensors for healthcare applications. A plethora of healthcare applications are discussed, which include movement analysis, physiological parameters monitoring, instrumented insoles, as well as instrumentation of healthcare robotic devices such as exoskeletons, smart walkers, actuators, prostheses, and orthosis. This review paper shows the feasibility of using POF sensors in healthcare applications and, due to the aforementioned advantages, it is possible to envisage a further widespread use of such sensors in this research field in the next few years.

Fiber Mach-Zehnder-interferometer-based liquid crystal biosensor for detecting enzymatic reactions of penicillinase

A novel, to the best of our knowledge, liquid crystal (LC) biosensor, based on an optical fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI), is proposed. The proposed optical fiber MZI consists of two single-mode fibers and a tapered photonic crystal fiber (PCF). The PCF is coated with 4^'-pentyl-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid (PBA)-doped 4-cyano-4^'-pentylbiphenyl (5CB). Being a pH-sensitive material, PBA can manipulate LC molecules to different orientations according to their pH values. When the orientation of LC molecules changes with varying pH, the effective refractive index of the cladding modes also is accordingly affected. Enzymatic reactions of penicillinase can release H⁺, which causes the decrease of the pH. Therefore, the enzymatic reactions of penicillinase can be sensed by monitoring the peak shift in the interference spectrum. The effects of the tapered diameter on the sensitivity of the sensor were experimentally investigated as well.

A photonic pH sensor based on photothermal spectroscopy

Although the determination of pH is a standard laboratory measurement, new techniques capable of measuring pH are being developed to facilitate modern technological advances. Bio-industrial processing, tissue engineering, and intracellular environments impose unique measurement requirements on probes of pH. We describe a fiber optic-based platform, which measures the heat released by chromophores upon absorption of light. The optical fibers feature fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) whose Bragg peak redshifts with increasing temperature. Using anthocyanins (pH-sensitive chromophores found in many plants), we are able to correlate visible light absorption by a solution of anthocyanins to heat released and changes in FBG signal over a pH range of 2.5 to 10. We tested the ability of this platform to act as a sensor coating the fiber within a layer of crosslinked polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEG-DA). Incorporating the anthocyanins into the PEG, we find that the signal magnitude increases over the observed signal at the same pH in solution. Our results indicate that this platform is viable for assessing pH in biological samples and point at ways to optimize performance.

Hot water-assisted fabrication of chirped polymer optical fiber Bragg gratings

We obtained chirped gratings by performing hot water gradient thermal annealing of uniform poly (methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) microstructured polymer optical fiber Bragg gratings (POFBGs). The proposed method's simplicity is one of its main advantages because no special phase mask or additional etching are needed. It not only enables easy control tuning of the central wavelength and chirp characteristics, but it also leads to obtain flexible grating response, compared with tapered chirped POFBGs. Therefore, a flexible and low-cost chirped POFBG devices fabrication technique has been presented by using a single uniform phase mask.