UV light detection with side polished CYTOP fiber

Abstract

Cyclic transparent optical polymer (CYTOP) fiber, used mainly in strain detection and refractive index characterization of liquids, can be polished for the detection of ultraviolet (UV) light radiation. The study investigates the transmission spectra of CYTOP fiber exposed to different intensities of UV light, demonstrating a linear relationship. A simplified system using a single wavelength, i.e., 395 nm, shows real-time performance of the sensor in a range from 1 to 15 mW. The results reveal the potential of CYTOP fiber as a UV sensor with a sensitivity of 0.65%/mW and a limit of detection of 0.3 mW, offering implications for monitoring UV radiation exposure and related health risks. In addition, the effect of the UV light was also observed at longer wavelengths with a lower intensity variation, which suggests that CYTOP fiber could be used for transmitting the UV radiation detection in telecommunications bands.