Porous silica coated spherical microresonator for vapor phase sensing of ammonia at a sub-ppm level

Arun K. Mallik, Gerald Farrell, Dejun Liu, Vishnu Kavungal, Qiang Wu, Yuliya Semenova

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

A new type of fiber optic sensor for the detection and quantification of ammonia (NH3) vapor levels is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. This sensor is based on a spherical silica micro resonator coated with porous silica gel. Whispering gallery modes (WGMs) in the micro resonator are excited by evanescent coupling to a tapered fiber with a 3.3 μm waist diameter. The optical properties of the porous silica layer change when it is exposed to ammonia vapor, leading to a spectral shift of the WGM resonant wavelengths. The sensitivity of the proposed sensor has been tested by exposing it to different low level concentrations of ammonia: 4 ppm, 8 ppm, 12 ppm and 30 ppm at a constant relative humidity (50% RH) and constant temperature (23°C). The detection limit is calculated from experimental results as 57 ppb of ammonia for a 282 μm diameter porous silica coated microsphere.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSixth European Workshop on Optical Fibre Sensors
EditorsElfed Lewis
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510602199
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016
Event6th European Workshop on Optical Fibre Sensors - Limerick, Ireland
Duration: 31 May 20163 Jun 2016

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume9916
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

Conference6th European Workshop on Optical Fibre Sensors
Country/TerritoryIreland
CityLimerick
Period31/05/163/06/16

Keywords

  • Ammonia sensor
  • Fiber optic sensor
  • Optical resonator
  • Whispering gallery mode

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