Ultra-sensitive magnetic field sensor with resolved temperature cross-sensitivity employing microfiber-assisted modal interferometer integrated with magnetic fluids

A compact and ultra-sensitive magnetic field sensor has been proposed by exploiting a microfiber-assisted Mach-Zehnder interferometer functionalized by magnetic fluids. We have experimentally investigated the transmission spectral responses of the proposed sensor to the variation of applied magnetic field intensity and environmental temperature. The interference dips exhibit a magnetic field sensitivity as large as −1.193 nm/Oe for a low magnetic field intensity range of 3 Oe to 21 Oe. By using the sensing matrix containing the magnetic field as well as temperature sensitivities for different interference dips, the temperature cross-sensitivity issue could be effectively resolved. Our proposed sensor is anticipated to find potential applications in weak magnetic field detection, and moreover, the immunity to temperature cross-sensitivity effect ensures its applicability in temperature-fluctuated environments.