Broad-band Mach-Zehnder interferometers as high performance refractive index sensors: Theory and monolithic implementation

Abstract

Broad-band Mach-Zehnder interferometry is analytically described and experimentally demonstrated as an analytical tool capable of high accuracy refractive index measurements over a wide spectral range. Suitable photonic engineering of the interferometer sensing and reference waveguides result in sinusoidal TE and TM spectra with substantially different eigen-frequencies. This allows for the instantaneous deconvolution of multiplexed polarizations and enables large spectral shifts and noise reduction through filtering in the Fourier Transform domain. Due to enhanced sensitivity, optical systems can be designed that employ portable spectrum analyzers with nm range resolution without compromising the sensor analytical capability. Practical detection limits in the 10(-6)-10(-7) RIU range are achievable, including temperature effects. Finally, a proof of concept device is realized on a silicon microphotonic chip that monolithically integrates broad-band light sources and single mode silicon nitride waveguides. Refractive index detection limits rivaling that of ring resonators with externally coupled laser sources are demonstrated. Sensitivities of 20 μm/RIU and spectral shifts in the tens of a pm are obtained.

TriPleX: a versatile dielectric photonic platform

“…The sensor design can be either based on MRRs [89,90] or on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) [87,[91][92][93] configuration. The state of the art in MZI-based sensing platforms -being widely applied by LioniX' customers -will be subject to future publication.…”

Comparison between Vernier-cascade and MZI as transducer for biosensing with on-chip spectral filter

“…Here we will compare this Vernier-cascade sensor with the MZI as a transducer, which exhibits very similar properties, as we will also show. The MZI has a long-standing tradition as an integrated photonic biosensor in various wavelength ranges and material platforms [11][12][13][14][15][16][17], including in Si 3 N 4 [18,19] which we will use for our fabricated devices. The Vernier has been used in sensing applications as well [20][21][22][23][24].…”

An Innovative Straight Resonator Incorporating a Vertical Slot as an Efficient Bio-Chemical Sensor

“…Recently, an improved bulk detection sensitivity (380 / ) of porous silicon ring resonator for biosensing applications has been reported by G. A. Rodrigues et al [10]. Other optical bio-chemical sensors have incorporated microdisk resonator [11], photonic crystal cavities [12], [13] and Mach-Zehnder interferometers [14], [15].…”