Liquid refractive index sensor with three-cascaded microchannels in single-mode fiber fabricated by femtosecond laser-induced water breakdown

Liquid refractive index sensor with three-cascaded microchannels in single-mode fiber was fabricated by femtosecond laser-induced water breakdown. When the liquid is filled in three microchannels across the fiber core, the transmission spectrum of the sensor shows interference peaks. The refractive index of liquid can be sensed accurately based on both the wavelength shift and loss change of interference peaks. The refractive index sensitivities of wavelength shift and loss change reach to as high as -2,406.1 nm/RIU and -156.8 dB/RIU, respectively. The sensor is insensitive to the refractive index change of liquid caused by environmental temperature. It can be used for liquid refractive index sensing with high sensitivity, especially for water pollution monitoring.