Optical fiber magnetic field sensor based on magnetic fluid and microfiber mode interferometer

Abstract A magnetic field sensor is proposed based on the combination of magnetic fluid (MF) and an optical microfiber mode interferometer (MMI). It is measured that the MMI is highly sensitive to ambient refractive index (RI) with a high sensitivity up to 16,539 nm/RIU while RI of the MF is changeable with an external magnetic field strength. By monitoring wavelength shift of transmission spectrum of the MMI, magnetic field measurement is realized with a maximum sensitivity of −293 pm/Oe in the range of 0–220 Oe.