Opportunities for photonic integrated circuits in optical gas sensors

Abstract

In this article, the potential of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for modern gas sensing applications is discussed. Optical detection systems can be found at the high-end of the currently available gas detectors, and PIC-based optical spectroscopic devices promise a significant reduction in size and cost. The performance of such devices is reviewed here. This discussion is not limited to one semiconductor platform, but includes several available platforms operating from the visible wavelength range up to the long wavelength infrared. The different platforms are evaluated regarding their capabilities in creating a fully integrated spectroscopic setup, including light source, interaction cell and detection unit. Advanced spectroscopy methods are assessed regarding their PIC compatibility. Based on the comparison of PICs with state-of-the-art bulk optical devices, it can be concluded that they can fill the application space of compact and low cost optical gas sensors.

Toward Chalcogenide Platform Infrared Sensor Dedicated to the In Situ Detection of Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Natural Waters via an Attenuated Total Reflection Spectroscopy Study

“…Given the completion of the integration on a chip of photonic sensors operating in UV-visible or near-IR [15], a miniaturization approach can also be seriously considered in mid-IR sensing. The development of a micro-sensor based on thin-film waveguide allows the miniaturization of the photonic device.…”

Interband Cascade Photonic Integrated Circuits on Native III-V Chip

“…This has been driven partly by the opportunities for sensitive spectroscopic detection of trace chemicals [ 1 ], since in gas form the narrow mid-IR absorption lines that can positively identify a given chemical are 2–3 orders of magnitude stronger than those in the near IR. Applications include monitoring greenhouse gases [ 1 ], industrial process control [ 2 ], combustion diagnostics [ 3 ], clinical breath analysis [ 4 ], and isotope differentiation [ 5 ]. However, the long-term market for mid-IR chemical sensing products will depend in large part on such practical factors as cost, power budget, and system footprint.…”

“…However, the long-term market for mid-IR chemical sensing products will depend in large part on such practical factors as cost, power budget, and system footprint. While other sensing techniques, such as gas chromatography and monitoring variations in the properties of metal oxide semiconductors or polymers, may also be employed [ 6 ], laser spectroscopy combines the advantages of selectivity, sensitivity, stability, longevity, and range in the case of remote sensing [ 5 ].…”

“…It follows that rather than using bulky and costly discrete optical elements interacting across free space, the ideal spectroscopic sensing system will occupy a single semiconductor chip that is inexpensive to produce in mass quantities [ 5 ]. This will require the incorporation of at least one mid-IR source, optical sensing path, and detector, along with interconnections linking them, into a single photonic integrated circuit (PIC).…”

Integrated Ammonia Sensor Using a Telecom Photonic Integrated Circuit and a Hollow Core Fiber

“…The combination with HCFs allows for a sensing system with a small footprint, as HCFs allow for long propagation lengths while maintaining small size. Further size reductions can be achieved with a PIC-based gas interaction cell [7]. Tombez et al demonstrated a silicon photonics methane sensor employing an on-chip interaction cell [8].…”