Visual gas sensors based on dye thin films and resonant waveguide gratings
2011
A colorimetric sensor that provides a direct visual indication of chemical contamination was developed. The detection is
based on the color change of the reflected light after exposure to a gas or a liquid. The sensor is a combination of a
chemically sensitive dye layer and a subwavelength grating structure. To enhance the perception of color change, a
reference area sealed under a non-contaminated atmosphere is used and placed next to the sensor. The color change is
clearly visible by human eyes. The device is based on photonic resonant effects; the visible color is a direct reflection of
some incoming light, therefore no additional supplies are needed. This makes it usable as a standalone disposable sensor.
The dye thin film is deposited by Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) on top of the subwavelength
structure. The latter is made by combining a replication process of a Sol-Gel material and a thin film deposition. Lowcost
fabrication and compatibility with environments where electricity cannot be used make this device very attractive
for applications in hospitals, industries, with explosives and in traffic.
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