Demonstration of a ZnO-Nanowire-Based Nanograting Temperature Sensor

In this study, we experimentally demonstrate a miniature fiber thermometer based on tip-integrated ZnO-nanowire-nanograting. The sensor has a diameter less than 1 mu m and the length of the Bragg grating is sub-10 mu m. The ZnO-nanowire-nanograting is sensitive to the environmental temperature change. Thus, the intensity of the light whose wavelength is in the rising or falling region of the nanograting spectrum will vary with the shift in wavelength due to change in temperature. Taking one wavelength (655 nm) in the rise linear region of the nanograting spectrum, a sensitivity of 0.066 nW/degrees C in the air is achieved experimentally. The proposed temperature sensor has the superiorities of compactness, stableness, and easy fabrication compared to regular fiber grating sensors, offering great potential for detecting inside minimal volume environments.

Automated summary

In this study, we demonstrated an experimental miniature fiber thermometer based on nanoscale structures. The sensor showed high sensitivity and compactness, making it suitable for temperature detection in minimal volume environments.