Chemical and biochemical sensing applications of microstructured optical fiber-based systems

Abstract

This paper provides an up-to-date overview on the use of microstructured optical fibers (MOFs) in chemical sensing during the last ten years, more specifically, applications in liquid media including the use of solid-core photonic crystal fibers, hollow-core PCFs and other MOFs and related microstructures. To this aim, a classification of different types of fiber-based chemical sensors is first made, followed by a description of the most important MOFs and their operation principles in chemical sensing. Then, studies on the use of MOFs in fluorescence, Raman and SERS detection among other detection principles are discussed. Finally, literature including the implementation of these microstructures in homemade and commercial analytical equipment is summarized. This review intends not only to give a current perspective on the use of MOFs and microstructures in chemical sensing, but also to make an approach between the fields of optical fiber and analytical chemistry, in order to understand the basic principles of operation in this promising frontier of knowledge.