João P. M. Carvalho

João P. M. Carvalho

Centre for Applied Photonics, INESC TEC, Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science, Porto, Portugal
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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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22 January 2022 in Polymers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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BDBernardo Dias
Bernardo Dias
João P. M. CarvalhoJoão P. M. Carvalho
João P. M. Carvalho
JMJoão P. Mendes
João P. Mendes
Jose Manuel M. M. de AlmeidaJose Manuel M. M. de Almeida
Jose Manuel M. M. de Almeida
Luís C. C. CoelhoLuís C. C. Coelho
Luís C. C. Coelho
Relative humidity (RH) monitorization is of extreme importance on scientific and industrial applications, and optical fiber sensors (OFS) may provide adequate solutions. Typically, these kinds of sensors depend on the usage of humidity responsive polymers, thus creating the need for the characterization of the optical and expansion properties of these materials. Four different polymers, namely poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(ethylene glycol), Hydromed™ D4 and microbiology agar were characterized and tested using two types of optical sensors. First, optical fiber Fabry–Perot (FP) tips were made, which allow the dynamical measurement of the polymers’ response to RH variations, in particular of refractive index, film thickness, and critical deliquescence RH. Using both FP tips and Long-Period fiber gratings, the polymers were then tested as RH sensors, allowing a comparison between the different polymers and the different OFS. For the case of the FP sensors, the PEG tips displayed excellent sensitivity above 80%RH, outperforming the other polymers. In the case of LPFGs, the 10% (wt/wt) PVA one displayed excellent sensitivity in a larger working range (60 to 100%RH), showing a valid alternative to lower RH environment sensing.