Label-free Optical Fiber Sensing Platform Based on Lossy Mode Resonances

Lossy-mode resonance (LMR)-based optical fiber devices, with a sensitivity comparable to surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-base devices, have emerged as a versatile tool for many applications since the first experimental demonstration in 2009. In contrast to surface plasmon resonances (SPR), generated by transverse magnetic (TM) light, LMRs can be generated with transverse electric (TE) and TM light. Contrary to SPRs that are typically generated by metallic thin-films (gold and silver), semiconducting and dielectric materials can support LMRs, which broadens the range of applications and simplifies some chemistry processes. All in all, the study and optimization of LMR-based optical fiber devices is still at its infancy and presents a promising future for the development of versatile and highly sensitive tools as well as for the utilization of these devices as a label-free sensing platform suitable to be used in many different applications, such as industry, biology, chemical or environmental among others.