Amir R. Ali

Mathematical Model for Electric Field Sensor Based on Whispering Gallery Modes Using Navier’s Equation for Linear Elasticity

This paper presents and verifies the mathematical model of an electric field senor based on the whispering gallery mode (WGM). The sensing element is a dielectric microsphere, where the light is used to tune the optical modes of the microsphere. The light undergoes total internal reflection along the circumference of the sphere; then it experiences optical resonance. The WGM are monitored as sharp dips on the transmission spectrum. These modes are very sensitive to morphology changes of the sphere, such that, for every minute change in the sphere’s morphology, a shift in the transmission spectrum will happen and that is known as WGM shifts. Due to the electrostriction effect, the applied electric field will induce forces acting on the surface of the dielectric sphere. In turn, these forces will deform the sphere causing shifts in its WGM spectrum. The applied electric field can be obtained by calculating these shifts. Navier’s equation for linear elasticity is used to model the deformation of the sphere to find the WGM shift. The finite element numerical studies are performed to verify the introduced model and to study the behavior of the sensor at different values of microspheres’ Young’s modulus and dielectric constant. Furthermore, the sensitivity and resolution of the developed WGM electric filed sensor model will be presented in this paper.

Angular orientation effects on electric field optical sensor

In the present work, we are demonstrating the capability of making polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microsphere sensors, which take advantage of an optical phenomenon called whispering gallery modes (WGM), a resonance condition happened when the optical path length of a laser in a polymeric microsphere is equal to an integer number of wavelengths, to make extraordinary electric field sensors capable of detecting electric fields. These sensors work by measuring the wavelength at which interference due to WGM occurs and then detecting when this value changes due to a change in the morphology of the spheres. This is possible since PDMS microspheres can be made to physically react to external electric fields. This physical reaction is called the electrostriction effect and governed by Navier’s equation for linear elasticity for steady state case. In this paper, an experiment will be conducted to find the angular orientation effects of the electric field on WGM optical sensors. In this experiment, the electric field is supplied by means of brass plates. These plates are mounted on a servo motor to provide the orientation angle of the applied electric field. The microsphere is placed between the plates. Prior to the experiment, the spheres are subjected to a high strength polling electric field of 1 MV/m. Initial results suggests that the sensitivity of the sphere has a dependence on the angular orientation of the sphere in the sensitizing polling electric field with respect to the orientation in the test electric field. This work we will show a definite relationship between the angular orientation in the sensitizing polling electric field and the response in the test electric field in order to maximize sensitivity. This has direct implications on eventual applications, since the orientation of a future sensor package will directly impact the sensitivity and performance of such a sensor used in the neurophotonics applications.

Novel design of electrical sensing interface for prosthetic limbs using optical micro cavities

This paper uses optical whispering galley modes (WGM) cavities to construct a new electrical sensing interface between prosthetic limb and the brain. The sensing element will detect the action potential signal in the neural membrane and the prosthetic limb will be actuated accordingly. The element is a WGM dielectric polymeric cavity. WGM based optical cavities can achieve very high values of sensitivity and quality factor; thus, any minute perturbations in the morphology of the cavity can be captured and measured. The action potential signal will produce an applied external electric field on the dielectric cavity causing it to deform due to the electrostriction effect. The resulting deformation will cause WGM shifts in the transmission spectrum of the cavity. Thus, the action potential or the applied electric field can be measured using these shifts. In this paper the action potential signal will be simulated through the use of a function generator and two metal electrodes. The sensing element will be si...

Direct measurement for organic solvents diffusion using ultra-sensitive optical resonator

In this paper, novel techniques using ultra-sensitive chemical optical sensor based on whispering gallery modes (WGM) are proposed through two different configurations. The first one will use a composite micro-sphere, when the solvent interacts with the polymeric optical sensors through diffusion the sphere start to swallow that solvent. In turn, that leads to change the morphology and mechanical properties of the polymeric spheres. Also, these changes could be measured by tracking the WGM shifts. Several experiments were carried out to study the solvent induced WGM shift using microsphere immersed in a solvent atmosphere. It can be potentially used for sensing the trace organic solvents like ethanol and methanol. The second configuration will use a composite beam nitrocellulose composite (NC) structure that acts as a sensing element. In this configuration, a beam is anchored to a substrate in one end, and the other end is compressing the polymeric sphere causing a shift in its WGM. When a chemical molecule is attached to the beam, the resonant frequency of the cantilever will be changed for a certain amount. By sensing this certain resonant frequency change, the existence of a single chemical molecule can be detected. A preliminary experimental model is developed to describe the vibration of the beam structure. The resonant frequency change of the cantilever due to attached mass is examined imperially using acetone as an example. Breath diagnosis can use this configuration in diabetic’s diagnosis. Since, solvent like acetone concentration in human breath leads to a quick, convenient, accurate and painless breath diagnosis of diabetics. These micro-optical sensors have been examined using preliminary experiments to fully investigate its response. The proposed chemical sensor can achieve extremely high sensitivity in molecular level.

Computational model and simulation for the whispering gallery modes inside micro-optical cavity

A computational model for the whispering gallery modes inside a microsphere resonator is presented. In the archetypical microsphere resonator sensor, a tunable laser light beam is injected into an optical fiber and coupled with the resonator’s cavity. The resonant optical coupling is achieved by bringing the fiber in the vicinity of the cavity’s evanescent field. The transmission spectrum is then observed to detect the WGM shifts. In this paper, two-dimensional models of a single laser source put near the equator of a microsphere are simulated using COMSOL Multi-physics 5.1 electromagnetic waves, beam envelopes library. Afterwards, a three-dimensional model of two laser sources put near the horizontal and vertical equators of a microsphere is computed. The transmission spectrum of both simulations was taken and cross correlation was performed on them. Results show a big similarity between both simulations and could bring a breakthrough in the area of optical sensors.

Novel techniques for optical sensor using single core multi-layer structures for electric field detection

This paper studies the effect of the electrostriction force on the single optical dielectric core coated with multi-layers based on whispering gallery mode (WGM). The sensing element is a dielectric core made of polymeric material coated with multi-layers having different dielectric and mechanical properties. The external electric field deforming the sensing element causing shifts in its WGM spectrum. The multi-layer structures will enhance the body and the pressure forces acting on the core of the sensing element. Due to the gradient on the dielectric permittivity; pressure forces at the interface between every two layers will be created. Also, the gradient on Young’s modulus will affect the overall stiffness of the optical sensor. In turn the sensitivity of the optical sensor to the electric field will be increased when the materials of each layer selected properly. A mathematical model is used to test the effect for that multi-layer structures. Two layering techniques are considered to increase the sensor’s sensitivity; (i) Pressure force enhancement technique; and (ii) Young’s modulus reduction technique. In the first technique, Youngs modulus is kept constant for all layers, while the dielectric permittivity is varying. In this technique the results will be affected by the value dielectric permittivity of the outer medium surrounding the cavity. If the medium’s dielectric permittivity is greater than that of the cavity, then the ascending ordered layers of the cavity will yield the highest sensitivity (the core will have the smallest dielectric permittivity) to the applied electric field and vice versa. In the second technique, Youngs modulus is varying along the layers, while the dielectric permittivity has a certain constant value per layer. On the other hand, the descending order will enhance the sensitivity in the second technique. Overall, results show the multi-layer cavity based on these techniques will enhance the sensitivity compared to the typical polymeric optical sensor.

Optical signal processing and tracking of whispering gallery modes in real-time for sensing applications

A novel approach for tracking of whispering gallery modes (WGM) in real-time for dielectric cavities used in sensing application is presented in this paper. Real-time tracking for the shifts of the WGM can be used to measure the physical quantity of interest precisely, under high repetition rates. The tracking algorithm is based on cross-correlation signal processing technique which has been proved to be accurate in WGM shifts detection. In order to achieve portability, the aforementioned real-time algorithm is implemented using a single-board re-configurable input-output hardware. The hardware platform used combines a real-time processor and a field programmable gate array (FPGA), it also allows for data exchange between them. The tracking algorithm’s accuracy and real-time behavior is verified by preforming simulations based on experiments conducted on the dielectric cavity, where the cavity is used as a force sensor measuring mechanical compression. The light from a laser diode is tuned with rates up to 10 kHz and then tangentially coupled into the cavity to excite the WGM. Results show that shifts of the WGM are tracked by the algorithm providing real-time force readings.

Micro-resonator-based electric field sensors with long durations of sensitivity

In this paper, we present a new fabrication method for the whispering gallery mode (WGM) micro-sphere based electric field sensor that which allows for longer time periods of sensitivity. Recently, a WGM-based photonic electric field sensor was proposed using a coupled dielectric microsphere-beam. The external electric field imposes an electrtrostriction force on the dielectric beam, deflecting it. The beam, in turn compresses the sphere causing a shift in its WGM. As part of the fabrication process, the PDMS micro-beams and the spheres are curied at high-temperature (100oC) and subsequently poled by exposing to strong external electric field (~8 MV/m) for two hours. The poling process allows for the deposition of surface charges thereby increasing the electrostriction effect. This methodology is called curing-then-poling (CTP). Although the sensors do become sufficiently sensitive to electric field, they start de-poling after a short period (within ~ 10 minutes) after poling, hence losing sensitivity. In an attempt to mitigate this problem and to lock the polarization for a longer period, we use an alternate methodology whereby the beam is poled and cured simultaneously (curing-while-poling or CWP). The new fabrication method allows for the retention of polarization (and hence, sensitivity to electric field) longer (~ 1500 minutes). An analysis is carried out along with preliminary experiments. Results show that electric fields as small as ~ 100 V/m can be detected with a 300 μm diameter sphere sensor a day after poling.

Bio-optical sensor for brain activity measurement based on whispering gallery modes

In this paper, a high-resolution bio-optical sensor is developed for brain activity measurement. The aim is to develop an optical sensor with enough sensitivity to detect small electric field perturbations caused by neuronal action potential. The sensing element is a polymeric dielectric micro-resonator fabricated in a spherical shape with a few hundred microns in diameter. They are made of optical quality polymers that are soft which make them mechanically compatible with tissue. The sensors are attached to or embedded in optical fibers which serve as input/output conduits for the sensors. Hundreds or even thousands of spheres can be attached to a single fiber to detect and transmit signals at different locations. The high quality factor for the optical resonator makes it significantly used in such bio-medical applications. The sensing phenomenon is based on whispering gallery modes (WGM) shifts of the optical sensor. To mimic the brain signals, the spherical resonator is immersed in a homogeneous electrical field that is created by applying potential difference across two metallic plates. One of the plates has a variable voltage while the volt on the other plate kept fixed. Any small perturbations of the potential difference (voltage) lead to change in the electric field intensity. In turn the sensor morphology will be affected due to the change in the electrostriction force acting on it causing change in its WGM. By tracking these WGM shift on the transmission spectrum, the induced potential difference (voltage change) could be measured. Results of a mathematical model simulation agree well with the preliminary experiments. Also, the results show that the brain activity could be measured using this principle.