Fiber-integrated refractive index sensor based on a diced Fabry-Perot micro-resonator.

We report on a fiber-integrated refractive index sensor based on a Fabry-Perot micro-resonator fabricated using simple diamond blade dicing of a single-mode step-index fiber. The performance of the device has been tested for the refractive index measurements of sucrose solutions as well as in air. The device shows a sensitivity of 1160 nm/RIU (refractive index unit) at a wavelength of 1.55 μm and a temperature cross-sensitivity of less than 10-7   RIU/°C. Based on evaluation of the broadband reflection spectra, refractive index steps of 10-5 of the solutions were accurately measured. The conducted coating of the resonator sidewalls with layers of a high-index material with real-time reflection spectrum monitoring could help to significantly improve the sensor performance.