A Novel All-Optical Photonic Crystal Sensor for Petrochemical Liquid Detection

Abstract

In this study, we introduce a novel and innovative optical sensor based on photonic crystalsdesigned for the detection of petrochemical liquids. This device leverages the unique properties of photoniccrystals to provide exceptional sensitivity and measurement accuracy. The sensor comprises a square lattice ofgallium arsenide (GaAs) rods suspended in air and coupled to an optimized ring resonator. This compactarchitecture, measuring only 274 μm², enables the sensor to be easily integrated into miniaturized systems. Theinteraction of petrochemical liquids such as petrol, kerosene, or diesel with the sensor induces changes in itsoptical properties. These variations, measured by analyzing the transmitted light, allow for the preciseidentification and quantification of the substances present in the sample. This approach offers rapid and reliabledetection, opening up new prospects in industrial quality control, environmental monitoring, and safety. Thestrengths of this sensor lie in its high sensitivity, enabling the detection of trace amounts of contaminants, and itsextremely short response time, ideal for real-time monitoring. Moreover, its fabrication relies on wellestablished processes, promising large-scale production at a competitive cost. The potential applications of thissensor are numerous and could revolutionize detection methods in the petrochemical industry.