Hollow Core Photonic Crystal Fiber based

Cholesterol Detection at Terahertz Regime

Hemalatha Ramamoorthy1, Revathi Senthil*1
1,*1
School of Electronics Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology,Vellore-632014, India.
1
rhemalatha@vit.ac.in
*1
srevathi@vit.ac.in
Abstract:

We propose hexagonal shaped hollow core Photonic Crystal Fiber (PCF) with mixed air holes in cladding region
and elliptical core to detect cholesterol using its refractive index value at terahertz frequency region. Silica is used as
background material for its temperature and chemical resistance. In order to avoid reflection of light and to give high
directional light confinement in core region, we used Perfectly Matched Layer (PML). Among various numerical
investigation methods, Finite Element Method (FEM) is opted for physical and mathematical interpretation . High
birefringence with maximum sensitivity of 99.13% is achieved at 3THz is obtained through this proposed work.

Keywords: Refractive Index, Hollow core PCF, Birefringence, Cholesterol, Effective Mode Area, Sensitivity.

1. Introduction

Cholesterol is made up of fatty, pulpy, soft component which are present in human body. It is an essential
element since it works in building hormones, vitamin D, digesting food components, cell membrane texture
maintenance. This Cholesterol is odorless and found to be no taste. The major source for cholesterol in human body
is due to the food we consume. If the concentration of the cholesterol is increased, it forms up to a thick component
and block the path for the flow of blood which creates more health issues like stroke, kidney failure, heart disease,
increased blood pressure. When Cholesterol is regulated in normal it is safe for survival, in vice-versa case it leads
to serious health disorders. Hence detection of cholesterol as soon as possible is important. In emerging world,
sensors play vital role in sensing diseases. Photonic Crystal Fibers based sensors are used by researchers for its
design feasibility, easy fabrication and higher sensitivity when compared to normal fiber. These PCF are made up of
array of air holes throughout its structure. This array of air holes may vary in structure like hexagonal [1], octagonal
[2], decagonal [3], spiral [4] etc. PCF sensors can also be in the type of solid core [5], hollow core [6], porous core
[7], dual core [8], tri core [9] and slotted core [10]. Based on the designed structure, PCF sensors are mainly
classified into three main sensing applications namely Physical sensors, Biochemical sensors and Biomedical
sensors. Pressure sensor [11], Strain sensor [12], Temperature sensor [13], Curvature sensor [14], Refractive Index
sensor [15], Humidity sensor [16], Gas sensor [17] are some of Physical sensor. Biochemical sensors include the
detection of Alcohol [18], Methanol [19], Ethanol [20] etc. Whereas in the field of Bio-sensing application,
detection of Micro organisms [21], Blood Components [22], DNA hybridization [23], Glucose sensor [24], Urine
sensor [25] etc. The Terahertz (THz) range between microwave and infrared radiation is given by 0.1 THz to
10THz. These Terahertz frequencies have greater impact on bio-sensing field. By using Topaz in background of
cladding, relative sensitivity of 88.70% is been attained by sensing alcohol.For the computation Finite Element
Method is used [26]. Under this work, slotted core is preferred and sensitivity of 89.85% is achieved for sensing
alcohol.Topaz is choosen as background material.Terahertz frequency range of 0.1THz to 1.2THz are used in this
work [27]. Porous core is opted in this work to sense chemicals like ethanol, benzene and water. The maximum
sensitivity of 70% is obtained by using the background of Topas.The investigation of optical properties are done
through Finite Element Method.The operating frequency used here is 0.2 THz to 1.3 THz [28]. This work draws
attention by this novel work by sensing both skin and blood cancer at 2THz.Rectangular holes with asymmetrical
arrangement is used in cladding and single rectangular air hole in the core region. Zeonex is used as background
material in the cladding region and maximum sensitivity of 96.67% is attained in this work [29]. Based on the
refractive index value, in this work cancer is been sensed at Terahertz frequency range from 1.5THz to 3 THz.
Hollow core is used and the sensitivity of 98% is obtained in this work. Differential equation is computed through
COMSOL Multiphysics software. Zeonex is used in cladding region as a background material [30]. To sense the
blood at terahertz regime from 1THz to 4 THz, Topaz is used as background material. Solid core is designed in this
work and the sensitivity is maximum of 87.68% is obtained for RBC [31]. Cholesterol detection is done hollow core
PCF where the cladding is designed by eight head star shape. For numerical investigation, Finite Element Method is
used.The maximum sensitivity of 98.75% is obtained at 2.2THz [32]. Considering the importance of cholesterol
detection importance, we propose a sensor that detects cholesterol with high sensitivity, good birefringence,
effective mode area and numerical aperture is determined. The structure is made simple for easier fabrication of the
proposed sensor. These types of sensors can be used in medical laboratories, health centre, hospitals. The next
section describes the structural guidelines for proposed sensor. Section 3 provides information on the method of
analysis and simulation. Section 4 gives detailed discussion on obtained results. Section 5 represents the fabrication
feasibility for the proposed sensor. Section 6 concludes the proposed work.

2. Structural Guidelines of Proposed Sensor

Detection of analyte with maximum sensitivity is important. Hence designing core with better feasibility
is essential to infiltrate analyte. Than solid core, hollow core Photonic Crystal Fiber is given preferences for
its reduced loss in material absorption. By solving Maxwell’s Equation the measurement of
electromagnetic field is done here. These are solved using Finite Element Method which is supported in the
software COMSOL Multiphysics 5.5. This FEM divides entire region of the sensor to triangular parts. The
region is only divided into triangular parts but not in square, rectangular, quadrilateral or circular parts for
easy calculation of end points. The end to end can be easily interconnected through triangular structure but
not in other structure. Hence this type of division is utilized in FEM.

Fig. 1 Cross Sectional view of proposed Cholesterol sensor.

In Fig. 1 cross sectional view of proposed PCF sensor is been presented. The cladding of the sensor is
designed with hexagonal lattice with three rings and the last ring is designed with mixing air holes for
easier confinement of light in core region. The specified analyte used of sensing is filled in core region of
elliptical shape. In order to obtain maximum birefringence and maintain polarization throughout the sensor,
elliptical shape is designed. As the background material in cladding, silica is preferred in this work for its
 high resistivity towards environmental condition. Perfectly Matched Layer is used to avoid emission and
back scattering of light. There is necessity for its design to maintain high directional path for light. The core
diameter is 130µm in a axis and 60µm in b axis. The cladding diameter is of 650µm. The diameter of first
air hole is denoted by d1 whose diameter is given by 60µm, d2 = 40µm , d3 = 35µm , d4 = 26 µm.Mixing air
holes are used in this proposed sensor for attaining maximum sensitivity. These air hole refractive index is
1. The analyte which is filled inside the core region is cholesterol, whose refractive index is 1.54[33].

3. Method of Analysis and Simulation

For the purpose of simulation and designing PCF, COMSOL Multiphysics 5.5 software is used.
Initially the structure is designed. As the next step materials are defined for the sensor. For PML, the wave
equation is determined by cylindrical coordinate for the purpose of solving boundary conditions. This
software solves the Maxwell’s Equation using Finite Element Method. It also computes both real and
imaginary part of modal indices. The degeneracy of modes, leakage loss can be studied through FEM. The
designed PCF air holes may be circular or non-circular, they are a divided into numerous triangular blocks.
At each part, the EMF is calculated and the consolidate result is been produced. In this work, the total
triangular elements are 133699. Fig. 2 represents the cross sectional view of proposed sensor and with its
material Fig.3 represents the mesh geometry of proposed work.

PML

Silica

Air Holes

Analyte

Fig. 2 2D view of proposed PCF with its components

After meshing operation, to compute the sensor the desired range frequency and analyte value is been
provided and then the results are measured. After computation, the light is confined in core region. It is
obtained in Electric Field region. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 shows light confinement in x & y direction .
 Fig. 3 Meshing of Proposed Sensor

Fig. 4 Light Confinement in x-direction Fig. 5 Light Confinement in y-direction

4. Results and Discussions

Due to some stresses or imperfections created in fiber, that break the circular symmentry of the fiber
and divide into two direction namely x and y direction. The difference between the effective refractive indices
with difference phase velocities is stated as birefringence. There is need for high birefringence to maintain
polarization. When the symmetries are same, there is less birefringence. But for an elliplse, there is minor and
major axes variation and asymmetry is more. Hence maximum birefringence is obtained in elliptical core which
is designed in this work. Equation (1) denotes calculation of birefringence. Where neff is the effective refractive
index of x and y direction. Fig. 6 shows the graph plot against the frequency range and the effective refractive
index difference between two direction. Basically the terahertz range used for optical sensing are from 0.1THz
to 10THz.The frequency range used in this work are from is 1THz to 3THz.Through the obtained result, it is
inferred that the value is linear. The need for birefringence is essential to maintain the polarization throughout
the sensor. These are needed for proper propagation of light.

Bf = nyeff – nxeff (1)

 Fig. 6 Variation between effective refractive index difference and frequency.

When light is transmitted into fiber, entire light is not confined in core region. Some light may get distracted and
radiate in cladding region also. In such case there is a need for calculation of maximum light entered into the core
region for detecting the capacity of sensor. The process of measuring the area in which the mode of the fiber’s
transverse dimensions is covered as a whole is given by effective mode area (A eff). Modes are found in core
region .The transverse electromagnetic field is also inhibited in it.

Aeff = ∫∫|E2| ⅆx ⅆy (2)

∫∫|E4| ⅆx ⅆy

Fig. 7 Variation of effective mode area with respect to frequency.

The EMA to be reduced for increased light confinement inside the core by mode fields. The mode area gets reduced
when frequency range is increased. The region where the light covers the maximum are presented in equation is
given below and E is the transverse electric field represented in integration. Fig. 7 explains the plot between,
Effective mode area and its corresponding frequency range. The EMA reduced as the frequency is increased.
Compared to y - polarization, x - polarization has increased light confinement.

Fig. 8 Variation of Sensitivity with respect to frequency.

The interaction between the analyte which is filled inside the core region and the light that is transmitted to sense the
anlayte is given by the sensitivity of the sensor. When the frequency tends to be more, the relative sensitivity
increases. This is obtained, since core power fraction is more fore for greater frequency. Here, nr is analyte refractive
index, neff is the corresponding effective refractive index and P is the power fraction.

nr
S= ×P (3)
neff

From the following equation P is the power fraction which is calculated through the integration of sample and total
region of PCF. E and H are electric and magnetic field. Fig. 8 represents the plot against obtained sensitivity and the
frequency. Through the plot it is inferred that x polarization have increased sensitivity when compared to y
polarization. The maximum sensitivity of 99.13% is obtained at 3THz.

Sample ∫ E x H y − H x E y dxdy
P = ×100
Total ∫ E x H y − H x E y dxdy
(4)
 Table.1 Comparison table for Sensing performance of proposed sensor

References Effective Mode Birefringence Relative Operating

Area Sensitivity(%) Frequency(THz]

[2] 1.43×10− 07 m 2 - 78.00% 0.5- 3.0

[3] - - 79.76% 1.0 - 3.0

[22] 147820 µ m2 - 95.89% 1.0 - 3.0

[32] - - 98.75% 2.0 - 4.0

[33] 56112 µ m2 5×10− 04 94.81% 2.0 - 4.0

[34] - - 97.27% 3.4 - 4.4

Proposed Work 1.68×10− 08 m 2 4.56×10− 04 99.13% 1.0 - 3.0

5. Fabrication feasibility of Proposed Sensor

Designing Photonic Crystal Fiber for through simulation tool and fabricating the sensor is always a
tedious process. There are some fabrication process to fabricate PCF is in existence like sol - gel, stacking,
extrusion, stack and draw method, injection modelling, drilling. For the formation of soft glasses are processed
through extrusion method by moltening the glass to develop the holes. Among all methods, Stack and Draw method
can be used fabricate this proposed work as this method provides, fast and reliable, clean and flexible, also low cost.
This method mainly facilitates the capillary fabrication as initial step by initializing diameter ratio for photonic
crystal fiber air hole. Then these are been arranged to triangular lattice. After this process, the constructed PCF are
drawn into fiber. While fabricating some issues may be faced, if suppose the air holes are not drawn proper. These
might create variation in results that are obtained through the simulation.

SMF SMF

Light Source OSA

 Fig. 9 Representation of working procedure of the proposed Hexagonal PCF

6. Conclusion

Under this work, elliptical core and mixing air holes in cladding with Perfectly Matched Layer are designed in
this manuscript. We proposed high birefringence and higher sensitivity in this work for the detection of Cholesterol
of its refractive index 1.53. As the background material, silica is been used. As Terahertz frequency are reliable for
sensing, from 1Thz to 3THz are choosed here. The maximum birefringence is achieved in this work, since elliptical
air hole is implemented in design. For computational of numerical results, Finite Element Method is been opted in
this work. Along with effective mode area calculation, sensitivity also determined. The maximum sensitivity of
99.13% is been achieved in this work. Stack and Draw fabrication method can be implemented for this work as a
further step. This sensor can be used in health centres, blood testing laboratories, hospitals to identify the cholesterol
in human to save their lives from health issues.

Declarations

Ethics Approval

This research is applicable for human and animal studies.(Research Ethics Board)

Competing interests 

The authors declare no competing interests.

Consent to participate

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Consent for publication

The participant has consented to the submission of the research work to the journal. 

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Revathi Senthil, who guided me to write the article on Hollow Core Photonic Crystal
Fiber based Cholesterol Detection at Terahertz Regime, Also I thank Vellore Institute of Technology-Vellore, for
Research work encouragement.

Author Contributions

Hemalatha Ramamoorthy and Revathi Senthil contributed to review, study, design, simulate and collect data. The
draft was prepared by Hemalatha Ramamoorthy and submitted to Revathi Senthil for getting approval for
submission. Revathi Senthil suggested some corrections and gave approval for submission.

Funding

We did not receive any funding to complete this proposed work.

Availability of Data and Materials

The data set which are obtained during simulation and analyzing the proposed work are with corresponding
author.Which can be retrieved from the corresponding when reasonable request is received.

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