Ultra-narrowband absorption filter based on a multilayer waveguide structure.

We propose a six-layer waveguide structure embedded in a single-layer grating based on guided-mode resonance (GMR), which can realize ultra-narrowband filtering with a tunable resonance wavelength. The filtering characteristics were analyzed and calculated by rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) and COMSOL Multiphysics. The narrowband resonance wavelength and absorption are tuned by changing the geometry and physical parameters of the structure such as the grating period and width, layer thickness, and materials. We designed and calculated the full width at half maximum (FWHM) and resonance absorption spectra in detail under different polarization states of electromagnetic waves. We obtained an absorption FWHM of 8.51e-5 nm for the transverse electric (TE) mode and 0.023 nm for the transverse magnetic (TM) mode, with the absorption coefficients having a value over 99.2%. The GMR filtering structure shows a good sensitivity and figure of merit (FOM) for refractive index sensing. For instance, a very high FOM of 17782.6/RIU for TM incidence is observed. These structures can have possible applications in optical information devices and sensors.

Polymer Microfibers Incorporated with Silver Nanoparticles: a New Platform for Optical Sensing.

The enhanced sensitivity of up-conversion luminescence is imperative for the application of up-conversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). In this study, microfibers were fabricated after co-doping UCNPs with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and silver (Ag) solutions. Transmission losses and sensitivities of UCNPs (tetrogonal-LiYF4:Yb3+/Er3+) in the presence and absence of Ag were investigated. Sensitivity of up-conversion luminescence with Ag (LiYF4:Yb3+/Er3+/Ag) is 0.0095 K-1 and reduced to (LiYF4:Yb3+/Er3+) 0.0065 K-1 without Ag at 303 K under laser source (980 nm). The UCNP microfibers with Ag showed lower transmission losses and higher sensitivity than without Ag and could serve as promising candidate for optical applications. This is the first observation of Ag-doped microfiber via facile method.

Correction to: Polymer Microfibers Incorporated with Silver Nanoparticles: a New Platform for Optical Sensing.

Please note that following publication of the original article [1], these three sentences have been removed from the Background section of the article.