PhD. of Mattias Verstuyft

Author: Mattias Verstuyft Promotors: Bart Kuyken and Gunther Roelkens Dutch Title: Een op siliciumfotonica gebaseerde terahertz foto-akoestische gassensor English Title: A Silicon Photonics Based Terahertz Photoacoustic Gas Sensor Date: 15/12/2023 Main Language: English ISBN number: 978-94-6355-785-6 Thesis: (45.3MB)

Abstract

The goal of this research was to create a small and inexpensive sensor capable of detecting food spoilage in packaged food in a non-destructive manner. A terahertz photonics sensor was designed on a silicon platform. Waveguides, short bends (with low losses), and resonators were characterized, which can also be used for other terahertz photonics purposes.

To obtain a gas sensor, the photoacoustic technique was chosen. In this technique, a sound wave is spectroscopically created, which then causes an object to move. The signal consists of measuring this movement.

In this work, this technique was enhanced by using a terahertz resonator to increase interaction with the gas. Additionally, the sound is also amplified by a resonator, as well as the vibration of a membrane that becomes resonantly excited.

In addition to designing a silicon photonics chip, a Mylar membrane was also characterized as a photoacoustic sensor. Concentrations of hydrogen sulfide up to 100 ppm were measured on the Mylar membrane.

Related Research Topics

• Silicon based integrated optical gas sensing