AOMatDev 2026 Abstracts

Area 1 - Advanced Optical Materials and Devices
Full Papers Short Papers

Area 1 - Advanced Optical Materials and Devices

Full Papers
Paper Nr: 7
Title:

In-Fiber Interferometers for Detecting Biofilms
Authors:

Attena Rashidi, Flavio Esposito, Adriana Sacco, Federica Granata, Anubhav Srivastava, Carmine Vitagliano, Stefania Campopiano, Michele Giordano, Giuseppe Coppola, Gennaro Di Prisco, Lucia Sansone and Agostino Iadicicco
Abstract: Bacterial biofilms pose significant challenges in medical and industrial settings, creating an urgent need for reliable tools capable of early detection. In this work, we demonstrate a compact fiber optic sensor for real time monitoring of biofilm formation, based on an in-fiber Mach-Zehnder Interferometer. The device is cost effectively fabricated by using of commercial single mode fiber through a waist-enlarged or overlap splice, which function as a robust intermodal coupler for core and cladding modes. A reflective configuration is achieved by depositing a silver coat on the fiber tip. This configuration resulting in a simple, low cost, and miniaturized probe ideal for in vivo measurements. The sensor exhibits a sensitivity to the surrounding medium of approximately 160 nm/RIU in the range 1.33-1.42. To evaluate its performance, the sensor was employed to track the biofilm growth of Pseudomonas Alcaligenes over a period of about three days. Changes in the resonance wavelength provided a clear indication of biofilm accumulation on the fiber surface. Independent Atomic Force Microscopy measurement analysis verified the presence of biofilm layer and enabled estimation of its thickness, confirming the sensors utility as a practical tool.
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Paper Nr: 9
Title:

High Sensitivity to Gamma Radiation of In-Fiber Long Period Gratings: Toward Dosimeters for Medical Applications
Authors:

Andrei Stancalie, Flavio Esposito, Anubhav Srivastava, Razvan Mihalcea, George-Tony Constantin, Aurelian Marcu, Ivo Barton, Daniel Negut, Stefania Campopiano, Alessandro Bartoloni, Lidia Strigari, Jan Mrázek and Agostino Iadicicco
Abstract: This work presents a highly sensitive optical fiber radiation sensing platform based on long period gratings (LPGs) inscribed in single-mode optical fibers doped with lutetium and aluminum (LuAG), as well as cerium. Following irradiation at different dose rates, the results demonstrate Gy sensitivity, partial permanence of radiation-induced effects, and excellent suitability for real-time in vivo dosimetry, underscoring the potential for medical radiation monitoring applications. Moreover, to understand re-use of this sensing platform, the long-term recovery behavior is investigated up to 24 months after irradiation, revealing the formation of permanent defects within the optical fiber materials.
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Nr: 24
Title:

Two-Layer Thin-Film Structures for Enhanced Optical Sensors (Invited)
Authors:

Ignacio Del Villar
Abstract: Lossy mode resonances (LMRs) are achieved when an absorbing dielectric thin film is deposited onto substrates such as optical fibers or planar waveguides. The sensitivity of the resonance can be improved by using different strategies, such as employing a surrounding medium refractive index that approaches the refractive index of the waveguide, operating at long wavelengths, or controlling the refractive index and thickness of the thin film to generate low-order LMRs, which are more sensitive than higher-order ones. However, the focus has mainly been on sensitivity, while other important factors must be addressed to further improve the performance of these sensors, including the full width at half maximum and the depth of the resonance. This explains the success of monomode structures such as tapered single-mode fibers or D-shaped fibers, where the lowest-order LMR can be monitored. Using these structures, femtomolar detection of IgGs in serum, as well as challenging molecules such as D-dimer, tau protein, and perfluorooctanoic acid, has been achieved. Here, we discuss recent experimental advancements incorporating an intermediate thin film between the dielectric thin film and the waveguide, with the aim of bringing the performance of simpler multimode structures (cladding-removed multimode fibers or planar waveguides) closer to that of single-mode systems. This intermediate layer can be dielectric, with a lower refractive index than both the thin film and the waveguide, or metallic, and in both cases improves the coupling between one or several modes guided in the waveguide and the mode guided in the dielectric thin film. This enhancement is crucial for reducing signal noise and improving the limit of detection. While demonstrated in planar waveguides, this approach can be extended to optical fiber structures. Moreover, fiber Bragg grating structures can also benefit, as the lossy mode resonance phenomenon is closely related to resonances generated in long-period fiber gratings, for instance. Overall, these developments provide a versatile strategy to enhance optical sensor performance across different platforms and geometries, opening new opportunities for sensitive and reliable detection of biomolecules and environmental contaminants.
Nr: 42
Title:

A Closed-Loop Fiber-Optic Gyroscope for Seismic Monitoring in the Phlegraean Fields
Authors:

Ferdinando D'Apice, Rizwan Zahoor, Marialuisa Capezzuto, Paolo De Natale, Gianluca Gagliardi, Danilo Galluzzo, Luigi Santamaria Amato and Saverio Avino
Abstract: Inertial sensors are crucial in various fields, such as large-scale industry, automotive, electronics, robotics, geodesy and navigation [1]. Over the last decades, interferometric fiber optic gyroscopes have been intensively used as inertial sensor able to measure angular rates with high performance. We present a fiber-optic gyroscope (FOG) with a sensitivity in the range of 〖10〗^(-6)-〖10〗^(-8) rad/s/√Hz over the frequency bandwidth 1 mHz – 100 Hz. The main principle of a FOG is based on the Sagnac effect, where the Sagnac phase shift is the phase shift difference between two counter-propagating waves along the same optical path [2][3]. The core is an interferometer realized through a 2 Km long polarization (PM) maintaining optical fiber wound around a spool with a diameter of 25 cm in a passive thermally insulated chamber. The interrogation system is based on a broadband incoherent source centered at 1550 nm and a serrodyne modulation/demodulation technique, under closed-loop conditions employing both optical feedback and Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) techniques [4][5]. The FOG was employed for real-time monitoring of the earthquake induced ground rotations. The system was placed in CNR-INO lab near the sismic area of the Phlegraean Fields (Pozzuoli, Napoli). Here we show system performance and preliminary results on seismic monitoring. REFERENCES [1] Armenise, M. N., Ciminelli, C., Dell’Olio, F., & Passaro, V. M. N. (2011). Advances in gyroscope technologies. Springer. [2] Sagnac, G. (1913). L’éther lumineux démontré par l’effet du vent relatif d’éther dans un interféromètre en rotation uniforme. Comptes rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, 95, 708–710. [3] Vali, V., & Shorthill, R. W. (1976). Fiber-ring interferometer. Applied Optics, 15, 1099–1100. [4] Lefevre, H. C. (2014). The fiber-optic gyroscope (3rd ed.). Artech House. [5] D’Apice, F., Zahoor, R., Capezzuto, M., D’Ambrosio, D., De Natale, P., Gagliardi, G., Santamaria Amato, L., & Avino, S. (2025). Phase-locked dual-loop optical fiber gyroscope. Optics Letters, 50, 5133–5136.
Nr: 80
Title:

Graphene Oxide Thin Films for Optical and Electrical Sensing of Breath Cancer Biomarkers
Authors:

Maria Raposo, Maria Fino, Susana Sério, Pedro Catalão Moura, Tiago Reis, Paulo Ribeiro, Nykola Jones and Soren Hoffmann
Abstract: Volatile organic compounds such as 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene and 1,2,3,5-tetramethylbenzene have been identified as potential breath biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of gastric and breast cancer, respectively. Their detection in human breath samples can therefore provide valuable information on health status and offer clinically relevant insights. Recently, we demonstrated that graphene oxide (GO) thin films can function as both electrical and optical sensors for a range of organic molecules of environmental and medical interest. In this work, we characterize 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene,1,2,3,5-tetramethylbenzene, and GO thin films using vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) spectroscopy and investigate, through VUV and infrared spectroscopy, the adsorption of 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene and 1,2,3,5-tetramethylbenzene on GO thin films. The spectral characterization of these benzene-based compounds and of their interaction with GO will be incorporated into an expanding molecular library aimed at supporting biomarker identification in human breath biological samples using optical or/and electrical sensing platforms.
Nr: 81
Title:

Optical Sensor Advances: From Robotics to Bioapplications (Invited)
Authors:

Carlos Marques
Abstract: This work addresses the development and application of advanced optical sensors based on both optical fibers and functional optical materials for biomedical, environmental, aerospace, and robotic applications. By leveraging the complementary advantages of fiber-based platforms and engineered photonic materials—such as high sensitivity, flexibility, biocompatibility, and immunity to electromagnetic interference—high-performance sensing solutions are developed for bio diagnostics and real-time monitoring. An interdisciplinary approach integrating photonics, materials science, and life sciences enables the translation of fundamental sensor concepts into practical systems. These optical sensing technologies support the advancement of digital health, enhance human well-being, and contribute to more sustainable and intelligent technological solutions.
Nr: 83
Title:

Silicon-Based Photonic Integrated Biosensors Based on Dielectric and Plasmonic Nanostructures (Invited)
Authors:

Ivo Rendina, Vito Mocella, Emanuela Esposito, Silvia Romano and Gianluigi Zito
Abstract: Recent advances in silicon-based photonic integrated biosensors are paving the way to highly sensitive and label-free detection of biomolecules. This talk explores new perspectives in this field, focusing on the use of dielectric and plasmonic metasurfaces, with particular emphasis on Surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) and Bound states in continuum (BIC) technologies. By exploiting the properties characterizing both approaches, we demonstrate enhanced sensing capabilities in integrated silicon-based photonic platforms. We discuss the fundamental differences between dielectric and plasmonic materials in metasurfaces, highlighting their respective advantages and limitations for biosensing applications. Recent experimental results that demonstrate the potential of these metasurface-based ultra-sensitive, miniaturised biosensors in real-world applications are also reported.
Short Papers
Paper Nr: 5
Title:

Fano Resonance Arising from the Interference of Fresnel and Bragg Grating Reflection Signals
Authors:

Vinícius Piaia, Paulo Robalinho, Orlando Frazão and Susana Silva
Abstract: Interferometric systems are frequently utilized in metrology due to their enhanced sensitivity, and combining these systems with resonance effects enables advantageous interrogation capabilities. The Fano resonance is a phenomenon that exploits the interplay between interference and resonance. In this research, a cleaved fiber Bragg grating is simulated to demonstrate the possibility of inducing Fano resonance through the interference of Bragg and Fresnel reflections. The device can adjust the asymmetrical spectrum, which can be leveraged as a dynamic sensor for a variety of applications, including polarization-based measurements and remote sensing.
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Paper Nr: 6
Title:

Power-Dependent Polarization Dynamics in EDFA Fiber Systems
Authors:

Ana Teixeira, Paulo Robalinho, João H. Araújo, Ricardo Sousa, Henrique Salgado, Orlando Frazão and Susana Silva
Abstract: This study experimentally investigates the impact of EDFA pump power on the State of Polarization (SOP) in optical fiber systems at 1550 nm, with particular relevance for distributed sensing applications. Using a tunable laser and polarimeter, three power levels were tested: -18 dBm, -20 dBm, and -23 dBm. Results show that polarization stability is strongly affected by power: while -18 dBm and -20 dBm provided repeatable SOP and phase behavior, -23 dBm caused significant phase shifts and Stokes parameter drift. Furthermore, for EDFA output powers greater than 0 dBm, the polarization state exhibits a strong dependence on optical power. Despite these effects, Polarization Dependent Gain (PDG) remained low (~ 0.46 dB), confirming the EDFA meets commercial specifications. The study highlights a trade-off where lower input powers, though avoiding saturation, can worsen polarization instability in short fiber systems, which is critical for optical communication and distributed sensing design.
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Paper Nr: 8
Title:

Planar Optical Sensors Based on Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance: From Rigid to Flexible Devices
Authors:

Andrea De Luca, Lucia Sansone, Flavio Esposito, Stefania Campopiano, Federico Pecorari, Michele Giordano and Agostino Iadicicco
Abstract: A cost-effective planar sensing platform exploiting localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) was developed. Borosilicate glass substrates were silanized with 3-mercaptopropyl-trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) to immobilize ~30 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) produced via a seeded-growth method. The nanoparticle properties were characterized by absorbance spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, ζ-potential measurements, and electron microscopy. Interrogation through a multi-mode fiber configuration revealed strong sensitivity to variations in the surrounding refractive index, with LSPR shifts exceeding 250 nm per refractive index unit. In addition, preliminary experiments on a flexible configuration based on a Poly(ethylene glycol diacrylate) (PEGDA) hydrogel embedding AuNPs demonstrate the potential extension of the platform toward conformable, wearable sensing interfaces. Overall, the results confirm that AuNP-functionalized planar waveguides constitute a reproducible, compact, and adaptable architecture to be employed for biosensing applications.
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Paper Nr: 10
Title:

Optical RGB-IR Classification Method for a Drone-Mounted Microplastics Detector: Plastic vs. Metal Discrimination
Authors:

Guilherme Pereira and Carlos Marques
Abstract: Airborne microplastics are emerging contaminants of global concern however, their in-situ detection and discrimination from other atmospheric particles remains challenging. Existing analytical methods rely mostly on lab-based spectroscopy, such as FTIR and Raman. Those are accurate but slow, expensive, and incompatible with integration on mobile platforms. This work, by interrogating plastic and metal bars, presents a proof-of-concept optical RGB–IR method for discriminating plastics from metals using a simple, compact and low-cost transmission–reflection sensor designed with future drone-mounted deployment in mind. The prototype employs four reflective channels (IR, R, G, B) and three IR transmission channels. Two independent datasets were acquired under slightly different hardware configurations and analyzed using uni- and multivariate statistics with multiple cross validation schemes. Reflection signals obtained from one transmission channel achieved large effect sizes between plastics and metals, and linear discriminant analysis reached 100% cross validated accuracy within each dataset and 75–82% accuracy when both datasets were combined. These results demonstrate that simple RGB–IR intensity features already carry substantial discriminative information, supporting the feasibility of low-cost, low-power optical heads as building blocks for future airborne microplastics detectors on unmanned aerial vehicles.
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