A reliable, sensitive and fast optical fiber hydrogen sensor based on surface plasmon resonance

We report for the first time on the experimental response of a Surface Plasmon Resonance fiber optic sensor based on wavelength modulation for hydrogen sensing. This approach of measuring the hydrogen concentration makes the sensor insensitive to intensity fluctuations. The intrinsic fiber sensor developed provides remote sensing and enables the possibility of multi-points sensing. The sensor consists of a multilayer of 35 nm Au / 180 nm SiO2/Pd deposited on a step-index multimode fiber core. The sensitivity and selectivity of the sensor are optimal at a Pd thickness of 3.75 nm. The sensor is sensitive to a hydrogen concentration ranging between 0.5 and 4% H-2 in Ar, with a response time less than 15 s. (C)2013 Optical Society of America