Optical sensors based on photonic molecules with tapered cavities to increase sensitivity and reduce temperature dependence

• Grant number: 21/13044-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2022
• End date: January 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Luis Alberto Mijam Barea
• Grantee: Marcus Vinicius do Amaral Pires
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This scientific initiation project proposes the development of an optical sensor with detection by variation in the refractive index consisting of a photonic molecule capable of minimizing the influence of thermal disturbances, ensuring a high quality factor to the at the same time it allows for high integration potential with other devices. For this, the project presents a restructuring of a sensor consisting of coupled microcavities through a series of studies and mathematical modeling for the construction of a layout on a Silicon Nitride-on-Insulator (SiON) platform and based on PMs containing two cavities ring-shaped, an external reference and an internal detection. In this PM configuration, it is proposed to study and analyze the impact of the sensing ring's throttling on the sensor's sensitivity and on the reduction of the detection area, in order to ensure greater robustness for a sensor that can be manufactured in a commercial Foundry and with low dependence of variation of the ambient temperature.(AU)