Open Access
Multidirectional bending sensor using capillary fibers and machine learning for real-time applications
(IEEE, 2025-02-25) Vanegas Tenezaca, Evelyn Dayanara; Galarza Galarza, Marko; Dauliat, Romain; Jamier, Raphael; Roy, Philippe; López-Amo Sáinz, Manuel; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Universidad Publica de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
In this article, the design and implementation of a bidirectional curvature sensor based on a fiber-optic interferometer are presented. The sensor structure was fabricated by fusing a capillary fiber fragment between single-mode fibers (SMFs), with the addition of a long end capillary to promote a long interferometric section, forming a Fabry-Perot (FP) cavity. Detailed analysis of the curvature data was carried out using machine learning techniques, allowing accurate classification of curvature in both directions of rotation. The experimental results showed excellent agreement (R2: 0.9998) with the predicted values. The sensor exhibits a maximum error of 1.9485°. This approach presents significant potential for applications requiring accurate real-time curvature measurements.
Open Access
Optical fiber pH sensors based on PAni-coated microstructured optical fibers
(IEEE, 2024-07-10) Rodríguez Rodríguez, Armando; Lopes, Guilherme; Nedoma, Jan; Pereira, Sónia O.; Fernandes, Antonio J. S.; Jamier, Raphael; Roy, Philippe; Bravo Acha, Mikel; López-Amo Sáinz, Manuel; Marques, Carlos; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
In this article, we report the analysis of a novel optical fiber pH sensor based in polyaniline (PAni) coating applied on a trenched core-free (only-bridge) silica fiber. The results are compared to another pH sensor based on side-polished silica fiber. The pH-sensitive polymer is synthesized over the fiber sample by means of oxidative polymerization, keeping records of the time where the reaction occurs to improve the sensitivity. The response to pH is enhanced in the case of the trenched core-free bridge fiber due to the higher interaction of the evanescent field with the PAni film and, thus, the surrounding media. The sensitivity in the linear zone of operation is 1.1 mW/pH, and a total transmittance of 55% in the pH range is 4.2-8.1. The repeatability of both sensors was checked, showing a high capability to perform studies in liquid samples due to its temperature independence, good sensitivity, and long-term stability.
Open Access
Characterization of a hybrid Fabry-Pérot Cavity based on a four-bridge double-Y-shape-core microstructured fiber
(SPIE, 2014-06-02) Rodrigues Pinto, Ana Margarida; López Aldaba, Aitor; López-Amo Sáinz, Manuel; Frazão, Orlando; Santos, José Luís; Baptista, José Manuel; Baierl, Hardy; Auguste, Jean-Louis; Jamier, Raphael; Roy, Philippe; Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa eta Elektronikoa; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
In this work, a hybrid Fabry-Perot interferometer based on a novel four-bridge microstructured fiber is presented and characterized. The characterization of this cavity is performed in the L-band using two different instruments: an optical spectrum analyzer and an optical backscatter reflectometer. The Fabry-Perot output signal presents linear variation with temperature changes (sensitivity 9.8-11.9 pm/ºC), variation with the polarization states of light and high stability.
Open Access
Enhancement of the sensitivity of a volatile organic compounds MOF sensor by means of its structure
(MDPI, 2019) López Torres, Diego; López Aldaba, Aitor; Elosúa Aguado, César; Auguste, Jean-Louis; Jamier, Raphael; Roy, Philippe; López-Amo Sáinz, Manuel; Arregui San Martín, Francisco Javier; Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa eta Elektronikoa; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
In this paper, we experimentally compare several core structures of Microstructured Optical Fibers (MOFs) for low-finesse Fabry-Pérot (FP) sensors. These sensors are designed for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) measurements. We deposit Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) thin films by sputtering on the MOFs and different optical phase responses of the FP were measured for saturated atmospheres of ethanol. The sensitivity of the developed sensors is demonstrated to depend on the geometry and the dimensions of the MOF-cores. The sensors show recovery times under 100 s and the baselines are fully recovered after exposure to VOC.
Open Access
Micro-displacement sensor based on hollow core fiber interferometers
(Optica, 2022) Sánchez González, Arturo; Rodríguez Rodríguez, Armando; Dauliat, Romain; Jamier, Raphael; Roy, Philippe; Pérez Herrera, Rosa Ana; López-Amo Sáinz, Manuel; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
An interferometric sensor based on hollow core fibers for the measurement of micro-displacement has been designed. Its characterization has resulted in a linear response, suggesting its application in pressure sensors.
Open Access
SnO2-MOF-Fabry-Pérot humidity optical sensor system based on Fast Fourier transform technique
(SPIE, 2016) López Aldaba, Aitor; López Torres, Diego; Ascorbe Muruzabal, Joaquín; Rota Rodrigo, Sergio; Elosúa Aguado, César; López-Amo Sáinz, Manuel; Arregui San Martín, Francisco Javier; Corres Sanz, Jesús María; Auguste, Jean-Louis; Jamier, Raphael; Roy, Philippe; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa eta Elektronikoa; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica
In this paper, a new sensor system for relative humidity measurements based on a SnO2 sputtering deposition on a microstructured optical fiber (MOF) low-finesse Fabry-Pérot (FP) sensing head is presented and characterized. The interrogation of the sensing head is carried out by monitoring the Fast Fourier Transform phase variations of the FP interference frequency. This method is low-sensitive to signal amplitude variations and also avoids the necessity of tracking the evolution of peaks and valleys in the spectrum. The sensor is operated within a wide humidity range (20%-90% relative humidity) with a maximum sensitivity achieved of 0.14rad/%. The measurement method uses a commercial optical interrogator as the only active element, this compact solution allows real time analysis of the data.
Open Access
High resolution liquid level measurement using a multisection interferometer based on capillary fibers
(IEEE, 2024-08-05) Vanegas Tenezaca, Evelyn Dayanara; Galarza Galarza, Marko; Dauliat, Romain; Jamier, Raphael; Roy, Philippe; López-Amo Sáinz, Manuel; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
This paper presents a novel capillary structure for liquid level measurement. The multifiber interferometric structure, which employs two capillary sections, is well-suited to the measurement of liquid levels in both short distances and with high resolution. The measurement range extends up to 60 mm with a resolution of 0.70 mm.
Open Access
Interferometric vs wavelength selective optical fiber sensors for cryogenic temperature measurements
(SPIE, 2017) Miguel Soto, Verónica de; Leandro González, Daniel; López Aldaba, Aitor; Beato López, Juan Jesús; Pérez de Landazábal Berganzo, José Ignacio; Auguste, Jean-Louis; Jamier, Raphael; Roy, Philippe; López-Amo Sáinz, Manuel; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa eta Elektronikoa; Fisika; Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics - INAMAT2; Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica; Física
In this work, a preliminary study of the behavior of two different interferometric fiber optic sensors and two different wavelength selective fiber optic sensors is performed. A photonic cristal fiber Fabry-Pérot interferometer, a Sagnac interferometer, a commercial fiber Bragg grating (FBG) and a π-phase shifted fiber Bragg grating interrogated in a random distributed feedback fiber laser are analyzed. A comparison of their sensitivities and resolutions is carried out to analyze their performance as sensors for cryogenic temperatures, taking into account their advantages and drawbacks.
Open Access
Microstructured optical fiber sensor for soil moisture measurements
(Optical Society of America, 2018) López Aldaba, Aitor; López Torres, Diego; Campo-Bescós, Miguel; López Rodríguez, José Javier; Yerro Lizarazu, David; Elosúa Aguado, César; Arregui San Martín, Francisco Javier; Auguste, Jean-Louis; Jamier, Raphael; Roy, Philippe; López-Amo Sáinz, Manuel; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniería
A discrete sensor based on a Sn0₂-FP (Fabry-Pérot) cavity is presented and characterized in real soil conditions. Results are compared, for the first time to our knowledge, with a commercial capacitive sensor and gravimetric measurements.
Open Access
Sensitivity optimization of a microstructured optical fiber ammonia gas sensor by means of tuning the thickness of a metal oxide nano-coating
(IEEE, 2019) López Torres, Diego; López Aldaba, Aitor; Elosúa Aguado, César; Auguste, Jean-Louis; Jamier, Raphael; Roy, Philippe; López-Amo Sáinz, Manuel; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
In this paper, the influence of the thickness of metallic-oxide coatings, ITO, and SnO2 on the sensitivity of a microstructured optical fiber Fabry–Pérot (FP) has been studied with the aim of developing ammonia gas fiber optic sensors. Also, the distribution of the optical power that can be coupled to the metallic-oxide sensing films is investigated in order to understand how the sensor’s sensitivity can be improved; the thickness of the coatings plays a relevant role on the sensitivity and response time. Films with thicknesses between 200 and 850 nm were experimentally examined resulting in an optimal thickness of 625 nm for a SnO2 film. The behavior of the sensors toward different concentrations of ammonia gas from 10 to 130 ppm was analyzed by measuring the phase shifts of the reflected signal using the fast Fourier transform of its optical spectrum. The registered response/recovery times of this sensor are below 90 s.