Open Access
Multichannel refractometer based on lossy mode resonances
(IEEE, 2022) Fuentes Lorenzo, Omar; Corres Sanz, Jesús María; Domínguez Rodríguez, Ismel; Del Villar, Ignacio; Matías Maestro, Ignacio; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
In this work a new multiparameter sensor platform based on lossy mode resonances is presented. The structure consists of a soda-lime optical slab waveguide butt-coupled to multimode optical fibers. A variable thickness thin-film is deposited to generate multiple independent resonances on the same waveguide, which can be monitored using a single spectrometer. In order to show the potentiality of the structure, a broad resonance was selectively narrowed by etching sections of the LMR producer thin film. The spectral width is progressively reduced, allowing to selectively isolate independent resonances, which opens the path for multiple LMR generation in the same spectra in a multiparameter sensing platform. The experimental results were corroborated with a theoretical analysis based on the finite difference method (FDM). As a proof of concept, two refractometers on the same waveguide were fabricated and tested using PDMS cells. This platform can be easily miniaturized in order to integrate multiple sensors at low cost, what can be of interest for the development of multi-analyte biosensors probes. IEEE
Open Access
Extraordinary sensitivity with quasi-lossy mode resonance mode transition bands in long period fiber gratings
(Elsevier, 2025-01-16) González Salgueiro, Lázaro José; Del Villar, Ignacio; Corres Sanz, Jesús María; Matías Maestro, Ignacio; 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 study presents a novel sensor design utilizing a long-period fiber grating (LPFG) deposited with a TiO2 nanocoating via atomic layer deposition. The study combines theoretical simulations and experimental validation to optimize the grating period and modulation index to operate in the mode transition with a quasi-lossy mode resonance (LMR) behavior, i.e., the LPFG attenuation bands shift similarly to LMRs. This enables the achievement of a remarkable sensitivity of 78 nm/nm, allowing for the detection of sub-angstrom variations in film thickness, which is critical for applications in semiconductor manufacturing. Our setup facilitates continuous monitoring of the transmission spectrum, enabling real-time adjustments during deposition to maximize sensitivity. As proof of concept for the applicability of the sensor as a refractive index sensor, we demonstrated exceptional sensitivity for nitrogen detection, achieving around 10,000 nm/RIU, with a figure of merit of 200. This marks one the highest sensitivities reported for optical fiber gas sensors and suggests this technology could revolutionize the field duet to its simplicity in terms of sensor design.
Open Access
Metallic-dielectric layer based hyperbolic mode resonances in planar waveguides
(IEEE, 2024) González Salgueiro, Lázaro José; Del Villar, Ignacio; Corres Sanz, Jesús María; Goicoechea Fernández, Javier; Matías Maestro, Ignacio; 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 research article, we present a comprehensive investigation into the integration of dielectric and metallic layers on optical waveguides, specifically targeting sensing applications. By utilizing a single bilayer of metal and dielectric on a planar waveguide that meets the conditions of a hyperbolic metamaterial, we significantly enhance the visibility of lossy mode resonances generated with a single dielectric layer, in what can be considered as a hyperbolic mode resonance (HMR), without compromising sensitivity. This improvement leads to an enhanced figure of merit and a reduction of the signal-to-noise ratio. Real-time evolution of spectra during the dielectric layer deposition allows us to establish a map of the multiple phenomena involved, such as surface plasmon resonance, lossy mode resonance, and mode transition. Combining these phenomena in a single structure leads to an unprecedented enhancement in sensing capabilities, demonstrating the potential of dielectric-metallic layer integration on optical waveguides for advanced sensing applications. Moreover, the optimized sensing performance offers promising opportunities for on-chip sensing devices and various applications in biomedicine, environmental monitoring, and chemical analysis.
Open Access
Route towards a label-free optical waveguide sensing platform based on lossy mode resonances
(IFSA Publishing, 2019) Ruiz Zamarreño, Carlos; Zubiate Orzanco, Pablo; Ozcariz Celaya, Aritz; Elosúa Aguado, César; Socorro Leránoz, Abián Bentor; Urrutia Azcona, Aitor; López Torres, Diego; Acha Morrás, Nerea de; Ascorbe Muruzabal, Joaquín; Vitoria Pascual, Ignacio; Imas González, José Javier; Corres Sanz, Jesús María; Díaz Lucas, Silvia; Hernáez Sáenz de Zaitigui, Miguel; Goicoechea Fernández, Javier; Arregui San Martín, Francisco Javier; Matías Maestro, Ignacio; Del Villar, Ignacio; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua,0011-1365-2017- 000117; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa, PJUPNA26
According to recent market studies of the North American company Allied Market Research, the field of photonic sensors is an emerging strategic field for the following years and it is expected to garner $18 billion by 2021. The integration of micro and nanofabrication technologies in the field of sensors has allowed the development of new technological concepts such as lab-on-a-chip which have achieved extraordinary advances in terms of detection and applicability, for example in the field of biosensors. This continuous development has allowed that equipment consisting of many complex devices that occupied a whole room a few years ago, at present it is possible to handle them in the palm of the hand; that formerly long duration processes are carried out in a matter of milliseconds and that a technology previously dedicated solely to military or scientific uses is available to the vast majority of consumers. The adequate combination of micro and nanostructured coatings with optical fiber sensors has permitted us to develop novel sensing technologies, such as the first experimental demonstration of lossy mode resonances (LMRs) for sensing applications, with more than one hundred citations and related publications in high rank journals and top conferences. In fact, fiber optic LMR-based devices have been proven as devices with one of the highest sensitivity for refractometric applications. Refractive index sensitivity is an indirect and simple indicator of how sensitive the device is to chemical and biological species, topic where this proposal is focused. Consequently, the utilization of these devices for chemical and biosensing applications is a clear opportunity that could open novel and interesting research lines and applications as well as simplify current analytical methodologies. As a result, on the basis of our previous experience with LMR based sensors to attain very high sensitivities, the objective of this paper is presenting the route for the development of label-free optical waveguide sensing platform based on LMRs that enable to explore the limits of this technology for bio-chemosensing applications.
Open Access
Optical sensors based on lossy-mode resonances
(Elsevier Science, 2017) Matías Maestro, Ignacio; Ascorbe Muruzabal, Joaquín; Acha Morrás, Nerea de; López Torres, Diego; Zubiate Orzanco, Pablo; Sánchez Zábal, Pedro; Urrutia Azcona, Aitor; Socorro Leránoz, Abián Bentor; Rivero Fuente, Pedro J.; Hernáez Sáenz de Zaitigui, Miguel; Elosúa Aguado, César; Goicoechea Fernández, Javier; Bariáin Aisa, Cándido; Corres Sanz, Jesús María; Ruiz Zamarreño, Carlos; Arregui San Martín, Francisco Javier; Del Villar, Ignacio; Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa eta Elektronikoa; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
Open Access
High sensitivity lossy-mode resonance refractometer using low refractive index PFA planar waveguide
(Elsevier, 2023) Domínguez Rodríguez, Ismel; Corres Sanz, Jesús María; Matías Maestro, Ignacio; Ascorbe Muruzabal, Joaquín; Del Villar, Ignacio; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
In this work a new strategy to improve the sensitivity of refractometers based on lossy-mode resonances has been proved. The proximity of the PFA (tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoro polymer) substrate refractive index to that of water has permitted to implement an optical refractometer with a sensitivity of 41,034 nm per refractive index unit (nm/RIU) for refractive indices ranging from 1.3318 to 1.3347. The work is supported with both theoretical and experimental results. This high sensitivity can be used for the development of LMR based chemical sensors and biosensors, where a low limit of detection is required, with the additional advantage of a simple disposable planar configuration.
Open Access
Increasing the sensitivity of an optic level sensor with a wavelength and phase sensitive single-mode multimode single-mode (SMS) fiber structure
(IEEE, 2017) Fuentes Lorenzo, Omar; Del Villar, Ignacio; Vento Álvarez, José Raúl; Socorro Leránoz, Abián Bentor; Gallego Martínez, Elieser Ernesto; Corres Sanz, Jesús María; Matías Maestro, Ignacio; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa eta Elektronikoa; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica
The sensitivity of a liquid level sensor based on a single-mode-multimode-single-mode fiber structure has been increased by hydrofluoric acid etching. The etching process was analyzed and monitored both theoretical and experimentally, which permitted to observe that a sinusoidal spectrum can be obtained for low diameters. As an example, a 2.77 fold sensitivity increase was attained by etching from diameter 125 to 50 μm. Moreover, the sinusoidal shape of the optical spectrum permitted to monitor liquid level changes both in wavelength and phase. The cross sensitivity of the sensor to refractive index and temperature was also studied.
Open Access
Fiber-optic immunosensor based on lossy mode resonances induced by indium tin oxide thin-films
(IEEE, 2017) Socorro Leránoz, Abián Bentor; Del Villar, Ignacio; Corres Sanz, Jesús María; Arregui San Martín, Francisco Javier; Matías Maestro, Ignacio; Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa eta Elektronikoa; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
A novel immunosensor based on lossy mode resonances (LMRs) induced in optical fibers is developed in this contribution. Indium tin oxide (ITO) is sputtered on the optical substrate to generate an LMR in the transmission spectrum. Type G immunoglobulins (IgGs) are then attached to the ITO-coated fiber using (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GPTMS). A phosphate buffer saline solution containing anti-IgGs is used to detect the biological reactions. The presented device is capable of detecting anti-IgG concentrations up to 10 nM. These results will permit the fabrication of biosensors based on a covalent attachment of bioreceptors over an LMR inducing thin-film.
Open Access
Lossy mode resonances generated in planar configuration for two-parameter sensing
(IEEE, 2021-04-29) Fuentes Lorenzo, Omar; Corres Sanz, Jesús María; Domínguez Rodríguez, Ismel; Del Villar, Ignacio; Matías Maestro, Ignacio; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
This work shows a new sensor structure for simultaneous measurement of two parameters, temperature and refractive index. The optical configuration consists of incidence of light on the edge of a soda-lime coverslip fully coated with a CuO thin film and partially coated with a PDMS thick layer. This planar configuration permitted to generate two separated lossy mode resonances (LMRs): one centered at 600 nm and the other at 1000 nm. The second resonance is induced by the PDMS layer and it can be used to measure the temperature due to its high thermo-optic coefficient (the sensitivity is -1.75 nm/°C in the temperature range from 20 to 40 °C), whereas the first resonance is used for sensing refractive index with sensitivity of 1460 nm/RIU in the refractive index range from 1.3328 and 1.37. Finally, a calibration test was carried out using a calibrated oil series with refractive index ranging from 1.33 to 1.36. This work demonstrates the possibility of generating multiples resonances in a single structure as simple as a coverslip, which can be used as a multi-parameter interchangeable sensor, especially suitable for biological applications or the detection of heavy metals in water.
Open Access
Lossy mode resonance-based sensors in planar configuration: a review
(IEEE, 2023) Matías Maestro, Ignacio; Del Villar, Ignacio; Corres Sanz, Jesús María; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
Lossy mode resonance (LMR)-based sensors have attracted much interest during the last decade in the domain of optical fiber (OF). Here, it is shown that the progress made in the transfer of this technology to planar waveguides (PWs) with different sensing applications such as environmental sensors and biosensors. In addition, the inherent advantages in terms of robustness, simplicity, and easiness to generate novel complex structures are discussed.