Ultra-sensitive temperature sensor based on liquid crystal infiltrated photonic crystal fibers

We investigated experimentally liquid crystal (LC) filled photonic crystal fiber's temperature responses at different temperature ranging from 30 to 80 degrees C. Experimental evidences presented that the LC's clearing point temperature was 58 degrees C, which is consistent with the theoretical given value. The bandgap transmission was found to have opposite temperature responses lower and higher than the LC's clearing point temperature owing to its phase transition property. A high bandgap tuning sensitivity of 105 nm/degrees C was achieved around LC's clearing point temperature.