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A High-Performance and High-Resolution Optical Refractive Index Sensor Using a Compact Photonic Crystal Ring Resonator

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Abstract

In this study, we present an optical gas sensor (OGS) utilizing a remarkably compact photonic crystal ring resonator. Our novel design boasts an impressive resolution of 0.002 refractive index units (RIU). The sensor is ingeniously engineered by optimizing an add-drop filter with circular rods in a square lattice, which is then followed by the development of a new two-port resonator tailored for precise gas detection. By incorporating a novel circular ring at the resonator’s core, we achieve exceptional performance metrics, such as a narrow full width at half maximum (FWHM) and a high Q-factor. To comprehensively analyze the sensor’s behavior, we employ the two-dimensional finite difference time domain (FDTD) method to investigate the transmission spectrum and electromagnetic field distribution. The resulting design demonstrates remarkable attributes, including a remarkable transmission efficiency of 98%, an impressive Q-factor of 3040, and a sensitivity of 940 nm/RIU. Moreover, it offers a free spectral range of 100 nm and an outstanding figure of merit of 2186 RIU− 1. These exceptional evaluation parameters unequivocally establish the superior performance of our optical sensor. Furthermore, our sensor’s compact footprint of merely 105.26 µm2 positions it ideally for integration into optical integrated circuits (PICs). With its cutting-edge capabilities and small form factor, our optical gas sensor holds great promise for diverse real-world applications in gas sensing and related fields.

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Data Availability

Datasheets generated and analyzed during the current study are available from the author upon reasonable request.

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Funding

The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran

    Ghader Mohammadi, Ali Asghar Orouji & Mohammad Danaie

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  1. Ghader Mohammadi
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  2. Ali Asghar Orouji
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  3. Mohammad Danaie
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Contributions

Design, analysis, and investigation: Ghader Mohammadi, writing-original draft preparation: Ghader Mohammadi, writing-reviewing and editing: Mohammad Danaie, Ali Asghar Orouji, Supervision: Ali Asghar Orouji, Mohammad Danaie.

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Correspondence to Mohammad Danaie.

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We the undersigned that the manuscript entitled “A high-performance and high-resolution optical refractive index sensor using a compact photonic crystal ring resonator” is original, has not been thoroughly or partly published before, and is not currently being considered for publication elsewhere. Also, results are presented honestly, and without fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate data manipulation. We confirm that the manuscript has been read and approved by all named authors and that there are no other persons who satisfied the criteria for authorship but are not listed. We further confirm that all have agreed with the order of authors listed in the manuscript of us.

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Mohammadi, G., Orouji, A.A. & Danaie, M. A High-Performance and High-Resolution Optical Refractive Index Sensor Using a Compact Photonic Crystal Ring Resonator. Sens Imaging 25, 26 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11220-024-00474-5

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