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12 pages, 3045 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceCommunication

Ultra-Low Detection of Perfluorooctanoic Acid Using a Novel Plasmonic Sensing Approach Combined with Molecularly Imprinted Polymers

by Rosalba Pitruzzella, Francesco Arcadio, Chiara Perri, Domenico Del Prete, Giovanni Porto, Luigi Zeni and Nunzio Cennamo

Chemosensors 2023, 11(4), 211; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11040211 - 26 Mar 2023

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 5363

Abstract

In this work, a novel optical fiber sensor system for ultra-low perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) detection in aqueous solutions is proposed. It is based on the connection, in series, of two different plastic optical fiber (POF) platforms: the first is a chemical chip realized [...] Read more.

In this work, a novel optical fiber sensor system for ultra-low perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) detection in aqueous solutions is proposed. It is based on the connection, in series, of two different plastic optical fiber (POF) platforms: the first is a chemical chip realized by using a D-shaped POF with microholes filled with a specific molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP); the second is a typical surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor based on a D-shaped POF. In particular, the MIP-based chemical chip was used to launch the light inside the SPR–POF chip to change the SPR phenomenon by exploiting the PFOA–MIP interaction in the microholes. At first, experimental results were performed in water to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed sensing approach for measuring PFOA (or C8) in a concentration range of 1 ppt to 750 ppt, obtaining an ultra-low limit of detection (LOD) equal to about 0.81 ppt. Then, experimental results were carried out in simulated seawater to implement a complex matrix. The obtained results denoted a slight matrix effect, paving the way for the applicability of the proposed chemical sensing mechanism in several aqueous solutions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Optical Chemical Sensors)

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12 pages, 2960 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Online Gamma Radiation Monitoring Using Few-Mode Polymer CYTOP Fiber Bragg Gratings

by Ivan Chapalo, Andrei Gusarov, Andreas Ioannou, Andreas Pospori, Karima Chah, Ying-Gang Nan, Kyriacos Kalli and Patrice Mégret

Sensors 2023, 23(1), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23010039 - 21 Dec 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2558

Abstract

We investigated the gamma radiation response of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) inscribed in a few-mode polymer optical fiber. The fiber had a graded-index CYTOP core of 20 µm and XYLEX overclad of 250 µm in diameter. Four FBGs were exposed to gamma radiation [...] Read more.

We investigated the gamma radiation response of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) inscribed in a few-mode polymer optical fiber. The fiber had a graded-index CYTOP core of 20 µm and XYLEX overclad of 250 µm in diameter. Four FBGs were exposed to gamma radiation during four irradiation sessions at a 5.3 kGy/h dose rate. The FBGs showed a linear Bragg wavelength shift with the received dose with a mean sensitivity of −3.95 pm/kGy at 43 °C. The increased temperature provides a rise in the sensitivity: it reached −10.6 pm/kGy at 58 °C. After irradiation, the FBGs showed partial recovery, which increased with the received dose. Furthermore, the FBG’s reflection power decreased with the dose. This attenuation is mainly due to insertion losses caused by the radiation induced attenuation in the CYTOP fiber. Linear response to the received dose makes CYTOP FBGs attractive for gamma radiation dosimetry. However, temperature dependence of the sensitivity should be compensated in practical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Optical Sensors 2022)

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9 pages, 3589 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Distributed Static and Dynamic Strain Measurements in Polymer Optical Fibers by Rayleigh Scattering

by Agnese Coscetta, Ester Catalano, Enis Cerri, Ricardo Oliveira, Lucia Bilro, Luigi Zeni, Nunzio Cennamo and Aldo Minardo

Sensors 2021, 21(15), 5049; https://doi.org/10.3390/s21155049 - 26 Jul 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2902

Abstract

We demonstrate the use of a graded-index perfluorinated optical fiber (GI-POF) for distributed static and dynamic strain measurements based on Rayleigh scattering. The system is based on an amplitude-based phase-sensitive Optical Time-Domain Reflectometry (ϕ-OTDR) configuration, operated at the unconventional wavelength of 850 nm. [...] Read more.

We demonstrate the use of a graded-index perfluorinated optical fiber (GI-POF) for distributed static and dynamic strain measurements based on Rayleigh scattering. The system is based on an amplitude-based phase-sensitive Optical Time-Domain Reflectometry (ϕ-OTDR) configuration, operated at the unconventional wavelength of 850 nm. Static strain measurements have been carried out at a spatial resolution of 4 m and for a strain up to 3.5% by exploiting the increase of the backscatter Rayleigh coefficient consequent to the application of a tensile strain, while vibration/acoustic measurements have been demonstrated for a sampling frequency up to 833 Hz by exploiting the vibration-induced changes in the backscatter Rayleigh intensity time-domain traces arising from coherent interference within the pulse. The reported tests demonstrate that polymer optical fibers can be used for cost-effective multiparameter sensing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pervasive Fiber Optic Sensor Technology: Improvements and Applications)

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12 pages, 431 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation on the Influence of Humidity on Stimulated Brillouin Backscattering in Perfluorinated Polymer Optical Fibers

by Andy Schreier, Sascha Liehr, Aleksander Wosniok and Katerina Krebber

Sensors 2018, 18(11), 3952; https://doi.org/10.3390/s18113952 - 15 Nov 2018

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3057

Abstract

In this paper perfluorinated graded-index polymer optical fibers are characterized with respect to the influence of relative humidity changes on spectral transmission absorption and Rayleigh backscattering. The hygroscopic and thermal expansion coefficient of the fiber are determined to be

C H E

= [...] Read more.

In this paper perfluorinated graded-index polymer optical fibers are characterized with respect to the influence of relative humidity changes on spectral transmission absorption and Rayleigh backscattering. The hygroscopic and thermal expansion coefficient of the fiber are determined to be

C H E

= (7.4 ± 0.1)

\cdot 10^{- 6}

%r.h.⁻¹ and

C T E

= (22.7 ± 0.3)

\cdot 10^{- 6}

K⁻¹, respectively. The influence of humidity on the Brillouin backscattering power and linewidth are presented for the first time to our knowledge. The Brillouin backscattering power at a pump wavelength of 1319 nm is affected by temperature and humidity. The Brillouin linewidth is observed to be a function of temperature but not of humidity. The strain coefficient of the BFS is determined to be

C_{S} =

(−146.5 ± 0.9) MHz/% for a wavelength of 1319 nm within a strain range from 0.1% to 1.5%. The obtained results demonstrate that the humidity-induced Brillouin frequency shift is predominantly caused by the swelling of the fiber over-cladding that leads to fiber straining. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Physical Sensors)

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11 pages, 2851 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Simple and Low-Cost Optical Fiber Intensity-Based Configuration for Perfluorinated Compounds in Water Solution

by Nunzio Cennamo, Girolamo D’Agostino, Filipa Sequeira, Francesco Mattiello, Gianni Porto, Adriano Biasiolo, Rogério Nogueira, Lúcia Bilro and Luigi Zeni

Sensors 2018, 18(9), 3009; https://doi.org/10.3390/s18093009 - 8 Sep 2018

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 5719

Abstract

We present a very simple approach for the detection of the Perfluorinated Alkylated Substances (PFAs) in water solution. Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) are the most extensively investigated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in water because human exposition can occur through different pathways, even [...] Read more.

We present a very simple approach for the detection of the Perfluorinated Alkylated Substances (PFAs) in water solution. Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) are the most extensively investigated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in water because human exposition can occur through different pathways, even if the dietary intake seems to be their main route of exposure. The developed sensor is based on a specific Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (MIP) receptor deposited on a simple D-shaped Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) platform. This novel chemical sensor has been characterized using a very simple and low-cost experimental setup based on an LED and two photodetectors. This optical sensor system is an alternative method to monitor the presence of contaminants with an MIP receptor, instead of a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor in D-shaped POFs. For the sake of comparison, the results obtained exploiting the same MIP for PFAs on a classic SPR-POF sensor have been reported. The experimental results have shown that the actual limit of detection of this new configuration was about 0.5 ppb. It is similar to the one obtained by the configuration based on an SPR-POF with the same MIP receptor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optical Fiber Sensors 2018–2019)

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11 pages, 1837 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Molecularly Imprinted Polymer on a Plasmonic Plastic Optical Fiber to Detect Perfluorinated Compounds in Water

by Nunzio Cennamo, Girolamo D’Agostino, Gianni Porto, Adriano Biasiolo, Chiara Perri, Francesco Arcadio and Luigi Zeni

Sensors 2018, 18(6), 1836; https://doi.org/10.3390/s18061836 - 5 Jun 2018

Cited by 83 | Viewed by 8624

Abstract

A novel Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (MIP) able to bind perfluorinated compounds, combined with a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) optical fiber platform, is presented. The new MIP receptor has been deposited on a D-shaped plastic optical fiber (POF) covered with a photoresist buffer layer [...] Read more.

A novel Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (MIP) able to bind perfluorinated compounds, combined with a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) optical fiber platform, is presented. The new MIP receptor has been deposited on a D-shaped plastic optical fiber (POF) covered with a photoresist buffer layer and a thin gold film. The experimental results have shown that the developed SPR-POF-MIP sensor makes it possible to selectively detect the above compounds. In this work, we present the results obtained with perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) compound, and they hold true when obtained with a perfluorinated alkylated substances (PFAs) mixture sample. The sensor’s response is the same for PFOA, perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) or PFA contaminants in the C₄–C₁₁ range. We have also tested a sensor based on a non-imprinted polymer (NIP) on the same SPR in a D-shaped POF platform. The limit of detection (LOD) of the developed chemical sensor was 0.13 ppb. It is similar to the one obtained by the configuration based on a specific antibody for PFOA/PFOS exploiting the same SPR-POF platform, already reported in literature. The advantage of an MIP receptor is that it presents a better stability out of the native environment, very good reproducibility, low cost and, furthermore, it can be directly deposited on the gold layer, without modifying the metal surface by functionalizing procedures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Label-free Optical Nanobiosensors)

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10 pages, 2589 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigating the Strain, Temperature and Humidity Sensitivity of a Multimode Graded-Index Perfluorinated Polymer Optical Fiber with Bragg Grating

by Yulong Zheng, Kort Bremer and Bernhard Roth

Sensors 2018, 18(5), 1436; https://doi.org/10.3390/s18051436 - 5 May 2018

Cited by 47 | Viewed by 5271

Abstract

In this work we investigate the strain, temperature and humidity sensitivity of a Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) inscribed in a near infrared low-loss multimode perfluorinated polymer optical fiber based on cyclic transparent optical polymer (CYTOP). For this purpose, FBGs were inscribed into the [...] Read more.

In this work we investigate the strain, temperature and humidity sensitivity of a Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) inscribed in a near infrared low-loss multimode perfluorinated polymer optical fiber based on cyclic transparent optical polymer (CYTOP). For this purpose, FBGs were inscribed into the multimode CYTOP fiber with a core diameter of 50 µm by using a krypton fluoride (KrF) excimer laser and the phase mask method. The evolution of the reflection spectrum of the FBG detected with a multimode interrogation technique revealed a single reflection peak with a full width at half maximum (FHWM) bandwidth of about 9 nm. Furthermore, the spectral envelope of the single FBG reflection peak can be optimized depending on the KrF excimer laser irradiation time. A linear shift of the Bragg wavelength due to applied strain, temperature and humidity was measured. Furthermore, depending on irradiation time of the KrF excimer laser, both the failure strain and strain sensitivity of the multimode fiber with FBG can be controlled. The inherent low light attenuation in the near infrared wavelength range (telecommunication window) of the multimode CYTOP fiber and the single FBG reflection peak when applying the multimode interrogation set-up will allow for new applications in the area of telecommunication and optical sensing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Sensors Technology in Germany)

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12 pages, 2767 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Radiation-Induced Attenuation of Perfluorinated Polymer Optical Fibers for Radiation Monitoring

by Pavol Stajanca and Katerina Krebber

Sensors 2017, 17(9), 1959; https://doi.org/10.3390/s17091959 - 25 Aug 2017

Cited by 47 | Viewed by 5716

Abstract

Due to some of their unique properties, optical fiber dosimeters are attractive and extensively researched devices in several radiation-related areas. This work evaluates the performance and potential of commercial perfluorinated polymer optical fibers (PF-POFs) for radiation monitoring applications. Gamma radiation-induced attenuation (RIA) of [...] Read more.

Due to some of their unique properties, optical fiber dosimeters are attractive and extensively researched devices in several radiation-related areas. This work evaluates the performance and potential of commercial perfluorinated polymer optical fibers (PF-POFs) for radiation monitoring applications. Gamma radiation-induced attenuation (RIA) of two commercial PF-POFs is evaluated in the VIS spectral region. Influence of a dose rate and temperature on RIA measurement is investigated, along with defect stability and measurement repeatability. Co-extruded PF-POFs are identified as more suitable for radiation monitoring applications due to lower dose-rate dependence. With co-extruded PF-POF, RIA measurement holds potential for highly-sensitive radiation monitoring with good reproducibility. The results show that operation in the blue part of the spectrum provides most favorable performance in terms of the largest nominal radiation sensitivity, lower temperature, and dose-rate dependence as well as higher defect stability. We demonstrate for the first time to our knowledge, that PF-POFs can be used for distributed detection of radiation with doses down to tens of Grays. The off-the-shelf, user-friendly PF-POF could be of interest as a cheap, disposable sensor for various applications, especially of a more qualitative nature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optical Fiber Sensors 2017)

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15 pages, 357 KiB

Open AccessReview

Enhancement of Brillouin Scattering Signal in Perfluorinated Graded-Index Polymer Optical Fibers

by Yosuke Mizuno and Kentaro Nakamura

Appl. Sci. 2012, 2(1), 46-60; https://doi.org/10.3390/app2010046 - 31 Jan 2012

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 7863

Abstract

Perfluorinated graded-index polymer optical fibers (PFGI-POFs), fabricated by replacing the hydrogen atoms of standard polymethyl methacrylate-based POFs with fluorine atoms, have been extensively studied due to their relatively low propagation loss even at telecommunication wavelength. Recently, Brillouin scattering, which is one of the [...] Read more.

Perfluorinated graded-index polymer optical fibers (PFGI-POFs), fabricated by replacing the hydrogen atoms of standard polymethyl methacrylate-based POFs with fluorine atoms, have been extensively studied due to their relatively low propagation loss even at telecommunication wavelength. Recently, Brillouin scattering, which is one of the most significant nonlinear effects in optical fibers, has been successfully observed in PFGI-POFs at 1.55-μm wavelength. The Brillouin Stokes signal was, however, not large enough for practical applications or for detailed investigations of the Brillouin properties. In this paper, we review our recent work on Stokes signal enhancement. First, we induce stimulated Brillouin scattering based on the so-called pump-probe technique, and discuss its applicability to temperature sensors. Then, we investigate the influence of the core diameter and length of PFGI-POFs on Stokes signal, and observe the Brillouin linewidth narrowing effect. We believe our work is an important technological step toward the implementation of practical Brillouin-based devices and systems including distributed strain and temperature sensors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Organo-Fluorine Chemical Science)

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23 pages, 1341 KiB

Open AccessReview

Exploit the Bandwidth Capacities of the Perfluorinated Graded Index Polymer Optical Fiber for Multi-Services Distribution

by Christophe Lethien, Christophe Loyez, Jean-Pierre Vilcot, Nathalie Rolland and Paul Alain Rolland

Polymers 2011, 3(3), 1006-1028; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym3031006 - 29 Jun 2011

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 9977

Abstract

The study reported here deals with the exploitation of perfluorinated graded index polymer optical fiber bandwidth to add further services in a home/office network. The fiber properties are exhibited in order to check if perfluorinated graded index plastic optical fiber (PFGI-POF) is suitable [...] Read more.

The study reported here deals with the exploitation of perfluorinated graded index polymer optical fiber bandwidth to add further services in a home/office network. The fiber properties are exhibited in order to check if perfluorinated graded index plastic optical fiber (PFGI-POF) is suitable to support a multiplexing transmission. According to the high bandwidth length of plastic fibers, both at 850 nm and 1,300 nm, the extension of the classical baseband existing network is proposed to achieve a dual concept, allowing the indoor coverage of wireless signals transmitted using the Radio over Fiber technology. The simultaneous transmission of a 10 GbE signal and a wireless signal is done respectively at 850 nm and 1,300 nm on a single plastic fiber using wavelength division multiplexing commercially available devices. The penalties have been evaluated both in digital (Bit Error Rate measurement) and radiofrequency (Error Vector Magnitude measurement) domains. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Optical Applications)

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13 pages, 364 KiB

Open AccessReview

Brillouin Scattering in Polymer Optical Fibers: Fundamental Properties and Potential Use in Sensors

by Yosuke Mizuno and Kentaro Nakamura

Polymers 2011, 3(2), 886-898; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym3020886 - 26 May 2011

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 10063

Abstract

We review the fundamental properties of Brillouin scattering in a perfluorinated graded-index polymer optical fiber (PFGI-POF) with 120 μm core diameter. The experiments were performed at 1.55 μm telecommunication wavelength. The Brillouin frequency shift (BFS) and the Brillouin bandwidth were 2.83 GHz and [...] Read more.

We review the fundamental properties of Brillouin scattering in a perfluorinated graded-index polymer optical fiber (PFGI-POF) with 120 μm core diameter. The experiments were performed at 1.55 μm telecommunication wavelength. The Brillouin frequency shift (BFS) and the Brillouin bandwidth were 2.83 GHz and 105 MHz, respectively. The Brillouin gain coefficient was calculated to be 3.09 × 10⁻¹¹ m/W, which was comparable to that of fused silica fibers. The Brillouin threshold power of the 100 m POF was estimated to be as high as 24 W, which can be, for practical applications, reduced by using POFs with smaller cores. These properties were compared with those of silica-based graded-index multi-mode fibers. We also investigated the BFS dependences on strain and temperature. They showed negative dependences with coefficients of −121.8 MHz/% and −4.09 MHz/K, respectively, which are −0.2 and −3.5 times as large as those in silica fibers. These BFS dependences indicate that the Brillouin scattering in PFGI-POFs can be potentially applied to high-accuracy temperature sensing with reduced strain sensitivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Optical Applications)

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11 pages, 259 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perfluorinated Plastic Optical Fiber Tapers for Evanescent Wave Sensing

by Roberto Gravina, Genni Testa and Romeo Bernini

Sensors 2009, 9(12), 10423-10433; https://doi.org/10.3390/s91210423 - 22 Dec 2009

Cited by 64 | Viewed by 12820

Abstract

In this work we describe the fabrication and the characterization of perfluorinated plastic-cladded optical fiber tapers. The heat-and-pull procedure has been used to fabricate symmetric tapers. Devices with different taper ratio have been produced and the repeatability of the process has been verified. [...] Read more.

In this work we describe the fabrication and the characterization of perfluorinated plastic-cladded optical fiber tapers. The heat-and-pull procedure has been used to fabricate symmetric tapers. Devices with different taper ratio have been produced and the repeatability of the process has been verified. The very low refractive indexes of the core-cladding perfluorinated polymers (n = 1.35–1.34) permit a strong enhancement of the evanescent wave power fraction in aqueous environments (n = 1.33), making them very attractive for evanescent wave sensing. The tapers have been characterized carrying out evanescent field absorbance measurements with different concentrations of methylene blue in water and fluorescence collection measurements in an aqueous solution containing Cy5 dye. A good sensitivity, tightly related to the low refractive index of the core-cladding materials and the geometrical profile, has been shown. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Laser Spectroscopy and Sensing)

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