Optimizing the structure of optical temperature sensors on the base of slot and double-slot ring waveguides with liquid crystal filling

Abstract. We consider the design methods and operation principles of a fast-response optical sensor for precise measurement of small temperature variations, which is based on ring resonators of micron size made from waveguides with one or two slots filled by a liquid crystal. The sensor sensitivity and measurement region can be changed by modifying the parameters of the waveguide or resonator, such as width of the waveguide strips or slots, slot separation, resonator bend radius, coefficient of coupling between the ring and input/output waveguides, etc. We analyzed the dependence of the transverse field distribution and effective indices of the orthogonally polarized modes in the slot and double-slot waveguides on the waveguide and resonator parameters, and we have considered the optimization of the temperature sensor structure based on such waveguides.

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