Near-Field Nanofluid Concentration Measurement by Rayleigh Particle Scattering Bragg Grating Evanescent Wave

We report an approach to detect near-field nanofluid concentration by scattering Bragg grating evanescent wave (EW). Since the suspended nanoparticles can enhance the scattering intensity of the EW from the thinned and tapered fiber with Bragg grating, the reflectance ratio of Bragg grating is dependent on the corresponding refractive index (RI) of the nanofluid at different nanoparticle volume fraction. A critical reflectance ratio measurement identifies the nanofluid concentration. Theory and simulation of scattering Bragg grating EW was analyzed. The scattering Bragg grating EW fiber sensing probe was designed and fabricated by the wet chemical etching method, and calibration was made by several chemical solutions without suspended nanoparticles. The example application of the nanofluid containing dispersed 40nm SiO2 nanoparticles demonstrates the feasibility. The reflectance ratio decreases by over 3.2% with the nanofluid concentration increasing from 0.25wt.% to 4wt.%, while the temperature disturbance can be negligible.