Novel fiber-optic sensing platforms for bio-chemical trace hazard detection

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Since January 2016 the main direction of our research activities has centered on my SPI/NSERC Senior Industrial Research Chair (IRC) in Photonic Sensing Technologies for Safety and Security Monitoring. This is a 5-year applied research program focused on several methods for detecting bacteria and illicit drugs using fiber-optic sensors (FOSs). The principal instrumentation platform proposed for bacteria detection is the long-period fiber grating (LPG).The research program presented in this application is a fundamental extension of this ongoing IRC program within the objective of bacteria detection, with the specific purpose of exploring several novel fiber-optic sensing instrumentation platforms that have never been investigated before. Consequently, it will be a high-risk program that would not be an appropriate fit with the applied nature of the IRC program, but would, in our opinion be appropriate for funding under the Discovery Program. The two novel fiber-optic sensing and instrumentation platforms that are proposed here will be explored and developed taking advantage of our new design, fabrication and technological capabilities. These involve a femtosecond (fs) laser and an associated high-precision micromachining system, both established and operational in our labs since the end of 2015, and now fully available for the proposed research. The first concept involves fabrication of the LPG and LPG-like structures not in the optical fiber core itself (as is the case with traditional LPGs) but rather somewhere in the cladding area, between the core and the external surface of the fiber. The second approach will involve fs-laser manufacturing of interferometers based on microcavities created by drilling specific openings in optical fibers.Once these novel platforms have been developed, they will be tested in the application area of Pathogenic E.coli detection. This bacteria is one of the most dangerous agents of food-borne disease, and has been identified as a common cause of diseases related to food safety. Consumption of contaminated food or water can be deadly, especially for children and the elderly. Although E.coli infection is most prevalent in developing countries, many recent outbreaks in Europe and North America have been attributed to a strain of E.coli. Accurate routine fast testing is therefore crucial for outbreak prevention both in Canada and internationally. Currently available tests are inadequate because they require time-consuming amplification of samples.