Virtual Vernier Effect-Enabled Parallel Dual-Cavity Sensor for Temperature and Humidity Synchronization

This paper presents a high-sensitivity temperature and humidity synchronous measurement sensor based on virtual Vernier demodulation, designed to overcome the limitations of traditional sensors in high-sensitivity and synchronous measurements. By combining a dual-cavity parallel structure with the Virtual Vernier effect (VVE), two interferometers were designed, with one using a temperature-sensitive material (polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS) and the other using a humidity-sensitive material (polyvinyl alcohol, PVA) for temperature and humidity measurement, respectively. Based on actual interference spectra, a modulation function was used to generate the virtual reference interferometer spectrum, which was then superimposed with the sensing interferometer’s spectrum to form a virtual Vernier envelope. By monitoring the displacement of the envelope, precise measurements of temperature and humidity changes were achieved. Experimental results showed a temperature sensitivity of 5.61 nm/°C and 7.62 nm/°C, a humidity sensitivity of 0 nm/%RH and −3.07 nm/%RH, and average errors of 0.64% and 1.10% for temperature and humidity, respectively, demonstrating the feasibility of the method. The introduction of the virtual interferometer effectively reduces environmental interference with the measurement results and avoids the material loss and errors associated with traditional reference interferometers. More importantly, the VVE enables dynamic adjustment of the envelope magnification, thereby enhancing the sensor’s flexibility and overcoming the structural limitations of traditional interferometers. This sensor provides efficient and reliable technological support for future environmental monitoring and climate change research.