Study of a fiber optic sensor for hydrogen leak detection

We present a study of a fiber optic sensor for leak detection based on Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR). We use Palladium as the sensitive material for hydrogen detection. In this configuration, the transducer layer is a multilayer stack made of a silver, a silica and Pd layer. The spectral modulation of the light transmitted by the fiber allows to detect hydrogen on the environment. The multilayer thickness defines the sensor performance. The silica thickness tunes the resonant wavelength whereas the silver and Pd thickness determines the sensor sensitivity. The study of the sensor performance as function of several thicknesses (Pd/Si/Ag) is achieved and we present the optimal configuration at a concentration of 4% hydrogen in argon.

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