A study on refractive index sensors based on optical micro-ring resonators

TL;DR

This paper analyzes optical micro-ring resonators used as refractive index sensors, deriving optimal coupling conditions and demonstrating high sensitivity for detecting minute environmental and bio-material changes.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of resonant conditions and sensitivity optimization for micro-ring resonator sensors, including new configurations and bio-sensing capabilities.

Findings

Optimal coupling conditions depend only on geometrical and mode properties.

Sensors can detect refractive index changes as small as 10^-4.

Bio-sensing can detect layer thickness changes of 0.24 nm.

Abstract

In this work the behavior of optical micro-ring resonators, especially when functioning as refractive index sensors, is studied in detail. Two configurations are considered, namely a linear waveguide coupled to a circular one and two linear waveguides coupled to each other through a circular one. The optimum coupling conditions are derived and it is shown that in both cases the condition for the resonant wavelength, i.e. the wavelength at which the transmission spectrum exhibits a dip (peak), is the same and depends only on the geometrical characteristics of the circular waveguide and the effective refractive index of the propagating mode. The latter, as well as the corresponding mode profile, can be easily calculated through numerical analysis. The sensitivity of the sensor is defined based on the dependence of the effective refractive index on the refractive index of the environment. Using a result of waveguide perturbation theory, the geometrical characteristics of the core of the circular waveguide that maximize the sensitivity of the system are determined. Both single and dual core configurations are considered. It is found that, when optimally designed, the sensor can detect relative refractive index changes of the order of 10^-4, assuming that the experimental setup can detect relative wavelength shifts of the order of 3x10^-5. Finally, the behavior of the system as bio-sensor is examined by considering that a thin layer of bio-material is attached on the surface of the waveguide core. It is found that, when optimally designed, the system can detect refractive index changes of the order of 10^-3 for a layer thickness of 10 nm, and changes in the layer thickness of the order of 0.24 nm, for a refractive index change of 0.05.