Structure design of refractive index sensor based on LPFG with double-layer coatings

Based on the coupled-mode theory, the mode transition and transmittance of LP modes in an LPFG with double-layer coatings are studied theoretically. As a refractive index sensor, this LPFG structure is designed for high sensitivity by selecting a suitable thickness and refractive index of the double-layer coatings. Date simulation indicates that the effective index of the LP cladding mode increases in steps with the first coating thickness, thus LP mode is guided to the overlay and the mode transition takes place, where the LP modes can be easily affected by the ambient. Thereby, the coated LPFG sensor should be designed to operate at the transition region. In addition, the effective refractive index of LP cladding modes also increases in steps with the refractive index of the second overlay. For the higher order LP modes, the transition regions are broaden and the dynamic responses are greater than the lower LP modes, which means the higher order LP modes can be used for lower index overlay sensing. Further, the transmittance spectrum, sensitivity and measurable dynamic range of this LPFG are analyzed. The sensitivity of the LPFG sensor is available to \(10^{3}\) with suitable overlay thickness and measurable dynamic range of the sensitive film refractive index is available to \(10^{-2}\). So the presented LPFG sensor enhances the design flexibility and enlarges the scope of application, which will likely be developed for high sensitivity LPFG sensors.