Fiber Optics in Sensory and Sustainability Applications (FOSSA)

Organization
Department of Electrical Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz

Project Leader
Claire Gu

Summary
The Fiber Optics in Sensory and Sustainability Applications (FOSSA) project is an extension of ongoing research by the project lead on fiber optic devices. The research plan focuses on two primary areas: 1). Optical Fiber Voltaic Cells, and 2). Ultra-High Sensitivity Optical Fiber Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Sensors. As part of the optical fiber voltaic cells research, the project lead will collaborate with the ASL’s Bin Chen to further explore both the material aspect of the fiber photovoltaic cell and alternative fiber configurations. The ultra-high sensitivity SERS sensor research will focus on using a signal processing technique to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of fiber SERS sensors to dramatically increase the ability to detect extremely weak signals. Single molecule detection and preliminary spectrum recognition capability are the ultimate goals of the planned research.

Project Description
The objective of FOSSA’s collaborative research activity is to use optical fibers to confine light in the direction perpendicular to the solar reception plane. Multilayer coatings consisting of organic photovoltaic materials sandwiched between electrodes replace the cladding of the optical fiber. As light propagates through the fiber, the evanescent wave is converted to electrical current, resulting in higher light efficiencies.

This research project will explore both the material aspect of the fiber photovoltaic cell and alternative fiber configurations such as side-polished fibers and hollow-core fibers (both hollow-core photonic crystal fiber and hollow silica waveguide fibers). This work is complementary to other research activities on renewable energy currently active at NASA Ames.

The goal of the Ultra-High Sensitivity Optical Fiber Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Sensor project is to use a signal processing technique to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the fiber SERS sensor developed by project investigators with National Science Foundation funding. This has the potential to dramatically increase the detectability of extremely weak signals. Project researchers hope this will eventually lead to single molecule detection capability.

Another objective of FOSSA research is demonstration of a novel fiber sensor based on SERS using metal nanostructures for chemical, biological, and environmental detection. The approach is to integrate: 1) novel nanoparticle substrates providing high sensitivity and consistency, molecular specificity, and wide applicability; 2) unique hollow-core optical fiber probes providing compactness, reliability, low cost, and easy sampling; and 3) an innovative matched spectral filter set for automatic preliminary molecule identification.

This research can eliminate existing roadblocks for practical applications of current SERS sensors. The novel sensor developed will be a transformative technology since its capabilities will revolutionize chemical and biological detection, with potentially single molecule detections. This, in turn, will impact human lives by touching applications from medicine to national security to food safety to environmental standards. NASA is also very interested in ultrasensitive biomolecular sensors and FOSSA project researchers have already developed SERS probes based on various fiber configurations. Their next step is integrating these probes into system for in situ detection of biological molecules, an application of significant relevance to NASA’s space exploration and science missions.

Department of Electrical Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz, the Fiber Optics in Sensory and Sustainability Applications (FOSSA) lead is UCSC's Claire Gu.

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