Exceptional-point-enhanced phase sensing.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 38579005.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1126/sciadv.adl5037 and PMC identifier 10997194.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Optical sensors, crucial in diverse fields like gravitational wave detection, biomedical imaging, and structural health monitoring, rely on optical phase to convey valuable information. Enhancing sensitivity is important for detecting weak signals. Exceptional points (EPs), identified in non-Hermitian systems, offer great potential for advanced sensors, given their marked response to perturbations. However, strict physical requirements for operating a sensor at EPs limit broader applications. Here, we introduce an EP-enhanced sensing platform featuring plug-in external sensors separated from an EP control unit. EPs are achieved without modifying the sensor, solely through control-unit adjustments. This configuration converts and amplifies optical phase changes into quantifiable spectral features. By separating sensing and control functions, we expand the applicability of EP enhancement to various conventional sensors. As a proof-of-concept, we demonstrate a sixfold reduction in the detection limit of fiber-optic strain sensing using this configuration. This work establishes a universal platform for applying EP enhancement to diverse phase-dependent structures, promising ultrahigh-sensitivity sensing across various applications.