Self-compensated microstructure fiber optic sensor to detect high hydrogen concentration.

Dual-cavity microstructure fiber optic hydrogen sensor based on evaporated Pt/WO(3) film was proposed and experimentally explored in this paper, which provides a novel solution to detect high hydrogen concentration (10-30% H(2)). Dual-cavity microstructure fabricated by splicer is composed of an inner air-cavity and a collapsed photonic crystal fiber cavity. The proposed sensor has the advantages of miniature structure, stable configuration, low cost. Based on three-beam interference model and verification experiments, the compensation function to the fluctuation of light source and fiber loss is proved from the theoretical simulation and experimental investigation. The sensor has a short response time (1min), good repeatability and reliability. Besides, the change of temperature affects the response value of the hydrogen sensor, but the impact can be neglected in 10-30% H(2).