A generalization of the concept of multimode interference sensors is presented here for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. The existing bimodal and trimodal sensors correspond to particular cases of those interference sensors. A thorough study of the properties of the multimode waveguide section provided a deeper insight into the behavior of this class of sensors, which allowed us to establish new criteria for designing more sensitive structures. Other challenges of using high-order modes within the sensing area of the device reside in the excitation of these modes and the interpretation of the output signal. To overcome these, we developed a novel structure to excite any desired high-order mode along with the fundamental mode within the sensing section, while maintaining a fine control over the power distribution between them. A new strategy to detect and interpret the output signal is also presented in detail. Finally, we designed a high-order sensor for which numerical simulations showed a theoretical limit of detection of 1.9×10−7 RIU, making this device the most sensitive multimode interference sensor reported so far.
A novel hybrid multimode interferometer for sensing applications operating with both TE and TM polarizations simultaneously is proposed and numerically demonstrated. The simulations were performed assuming an operating wavelength of 633 nm with the goal of future use as a biosensor, but its applications extend beyond that area and could be adapted for any wavelength or application of interest. By designing the mutimode waveguide core with a low aspect ratio, the confinement characteristics of TE modes and TM modes become very distinct and their interaction with the sample in the sensing area becomes very different as well, resulting in high device sensitivity. In addition, an excitation structure is presented, that allows good control over power distribution between the desired modes while also restricting the power coupled to other undesired modes. This new hybrid TE/TM approach produced a bulk sensitivity per sensor length of 1.798 rad
and a bulk sensitivity per sensor area of 2.140 rad
, which represents a much smaller footprint when compared to other MMI sensors, contributing to a higher level of integration, while also opening possibilities for a new range of MMI devices.
Highly electrically and thermally conducting films of expanded graphite/polymer nanocomposites were fabricated using an approach based on solution mixing methods. The use of Hydroxyethylcellulose and benzylic alcohol based solutions provides efficient dispersion and better exfoliation of multilayer graphene (nanographite) flakes that are further aligned in extended 2D layers forming continuous conductive pathways during lamination (hot calendering) process. Very high electrical conductivity (190 S/cm) was obtained for fabricated layered films. In contrast, for films produced by a conventional mixing and deposition method with acrylic copolymer and the same nanographitic material, with flakes randomly distributed within the composite, much lower conductivities (2.4 S/cm) were obtained.
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