Femtosecond laser microprinting of a polymer optical fiber interferometer for high-sensitivity temperature measurement

Abstract

Femtosecond laser induced multi-photon polymerization technique can be applied to fabricate an ultracompact polymer optical fiber interferometer which was embedded in a section of hollow core fiber. The production of the photoresin, used in this work, is described. Such a device has been used for temperature measurement, due to its excellent thermal properties. Transmission spectrum, structural morphology, and temperature response of the polymer optical fiber interferometer are experimentally investigated. A high wavelength sensitivity of 6.5 nm/°C is achieved over a temperature range from 25 °C to 30 °C. The proposed polymer optical fiber interferometer exhibits high temperature sensitivity, excellent mechanical strength, and ultra-high integration. More complex fiber-integrated polymer function micro/nano structures produced by this technique may result in more applications in optical fiber communication and optical fiber sensors.