Optical sensors play a crucial role in various scientific and technological pursuits, from detecting gravitational waves to imaging biological tissues for medical purposes. These sensors utilize light to identify changes in the surrounding environment, such as chemical biomarkers and temperature variations. One of the main challenges in optical sensing has been to improve sensitivity in detecting weak signals amidst background noise.
Yang and Mao have introduced an EP-enhanced sensing platform that addresses the limitations of previous methods. Unlike traditional techniques that require sensor modifications, their innovative system includes an EP control unit that can connect to external sensors located at a distance. This setup enables EP tuning solely through adjustments to the control unit, resulting in ultra-high sensitivity without complex sensor alterations.
“We have developed a unique platform that can enhance EP capabilities in standard optical sensors,” stated Yang. “This system marks a groundbreaking advancement in EP-enhanced sensing, broadening its scope and versatility. Any phase-sensitive sensor can achieve enhanced sensitivity and lower detection limits by linking to this setup. By adjusting the control unit, this EP configuration can adapt to various sensing applications, including environmental monitoring, health tracking, and biomedical imaging.”
By separating sensing and control functions, Yang and Mao have effectively overcome the strict physical requirements for operating sensors at EPs, which previously limited their widespread use. This breakthrough allows EP enhancement to be applied to a wide range of conventional sensors, such as ring resonators, thermal sensors, magnetic sensors, and those detecting vibrations or biomarker changes, significantly improving detection limits. Even when the sensor operates differently from an EP, setting the control unit to an EP still provides the benefits of EP enhancement.
To demonstrate the concept, Yang’s team tested the system’s detection limit, showing a six-fold decrease in detection limit using their EP-enhanced setup compared to a standard sensor.
2024-04-07 14:00:03
Post from phys.org