High-speed optical humidity sensors based on chiral sculptured thin films

Yan Jun Liu, Jinjie Shi, Fan Zhang, Huinan Liang, Jian Xu, Akhlesh Lakhtakia, Stephen J. Fonash, Tony Jun Huang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Scopus citations

Abstract

A high-speed humidity sensor based on a nanostructured chiral sculptured thin film (CSTF) was fabricated and tested. The sensing principle is based on the shift of the central wavelength of the circular Bragg regime of the CSTF caused by adsorption and desorption of water vapor in the void regions of the CSTF. Spectral changes due to varying relative-humidity (RH) levels in the ambient environment were measured by a spectrometer. The CSTF sensor exhibited excellent reversibility and reproducibility from 40% to 100% RH. Moreover, the adsorption time of the sensor was measured to be as low as ∼140 ms, making it promising for many high-speed humidity-sensing applications.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)593-598
Number of pages6
JournalSensors and Actuators, B: Chemical
Volume156
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2011

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Instrumentation
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Metals and Alloys
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Materials Chemistry

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