Polyethylene glycol (PEG)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) thin film fiber optic humidity switch sensor based on a reversible phase transition
Abstract An intensity-modulated fiber optic evanescent wave humidity switch sensor is developed using PEG/PVA thin film as a moisture-sensitive layer. Effects of precursor solution concentration, mass ratio of PEG to PVA and PEG molecular weight were optimized on switch performance. Switch sensing characteristics was achieved with an optimal sensitivity of 1708 lux/%RH and sensitivity increase of over 10 3 fold at the threshold humidity level. The sensor shows a fast recovery of 3 s, a low hysteresis, and remarkable stability and repeatability. Switch behavior is attributed to the phase transition of PEG at the threshold humidity level, causing changes in the sensing film’s refractive index and scattering of evanescent wave.
Authors
- Zhongfu Zhou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7717-6552)
- Jun Qian (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3242-6706)
- Min Lai (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8489-2736)
- Zhongwei Gu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1547-6880)
- Yutong Qi
- Chao He (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6467-6320)
- Yuxin Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4622-8516)
- Bo Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7545-7038)
- Zhu Bao
- Xuefei Xiao
- Yan Ma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8309-5265)
Institutions
- Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Japanese Journal of Applied Physics
- Published
- 2025-03-31
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.35848/1347-4065/adc779
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Semiconductor Lasers and Optical Devices
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.73
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China