VOC gas sensor based on an optical fiber ferrule coated with a porous cholesteric liquid crystal film

In this study, the feasibility of a volatile organic compounds (VOC) gas sensor was confirmed through a porous cholesteric liquid crystal film (CLCF) coated on the cross-section of an optical fiber ferrule. The device was fabricated by injecting the CLCF mixture between two ferrules and then UV cured. After separating the two ferrules, porous CLCF was prepared by immersing the CLCF-coated ferrule in acetone. To measure the change in the reflection spectrum of the device for each VOC gas, a broadband wavelength swept laser with a 10dB bandwidth of ~430nm was used. In conclusion, it was found that the reflection band was continuously red-shifted for acetone gas and THF gas.