Temperature-insensitive sensor for glucose brix measurement based on compact spindle-shaped structure with two-mode fiber

Abstract:

A temperature-insensitive sensor for glucose brix measurement based on compact spindle-shaped structure with two-mode fiber (TMF) is proposed. Due to the bending of optical fiber caused by flame baking, some of the light energy transmitted in the core leaks into the cladding area as an evanescent wave, which excites the higher-order cladding mode of the sensor. The experimental results show that when the length of TMF is 3 cm and the bending diameter is 4 mm, the maximum glucose brix sensitivity of the sensor is 0.368 nm/% from 0 to 21%. The sensor is insensitive to temperature from 10 °C to 50 °C, which can avoid the problem of temperature cross-sensitivity. A compact spindle-shaped sensor is a potential effective sensor with a simple structure, easy fabrication and low cost. The sensor can be used to detect glucose content in areas such as crops quality assessment and the research of pharmacy and bioengineering.