Optical microfiber coil resonator refractometric sensor

We present a novel refractometric sensor based on a coated all-coupling optical-fiber-nanowire microcoil resonator which is robust, compact, and comprises an intrinsic fluidic channel. We calculate the device sensitivity and find its dependence on the nanowire diameter and coating thickness. A sensitivity as high as 700 nm/RIU and a refractive index resolution as low as 10 are predicted. (See also erratum, vol 15, pg 7888, doi:10.1364/OE.15.009385