We developed a SnO₂ nanowire network visible-blind ultraviolet (UV) photodetector for applications in fields such as safety systems, exposure control, decontamination processes, among others. Based on the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth method, a SnO₂ nanowire network was synthetized. The sensor was fabricated based on a metal-semicondutor-metal (MSM) structure and Ag paste was used as simple and efficient electrical contact. To understand the visible-blind property two light sources were used: UV (254-365 nm) and VIS (400-900 nm) Lamps. In Current – Voltage measurements, the device under dark and room ambient conditions presented rectifier contacts with different barrier heights; whereas under UV illumination, the barrier heights seem to be aligned. It was observed that the sensor’s photoresponse was optimized for UV Light with rise and decay time ~1s and 3s, respectively, and exhibiting an on/off ratio of 42.5; whereas as for the VIS light both times were longer with an on/off ratio of 1.7, both under V = + 0.1 V. These results are highly significant for developing of a visible-blind photodetector.

Verification of measurement errors has a big impact on assessment of accuracy of conducted measurements and obtained results. In many cases computer simulation results are compared with measurement results in order to evaluate measurement errors.

The purpose of our research was to check the accuracy of measurements made with Fabry-Perot interferometer working in the transmission mode. In measurement setup, a 1310 nm superluminescent diode light source, single-mode optical fibres and optical spectrum analyser were used. Influence of length of resonating cavity and refractive index on the envelope of interferogram was investigated.

We created a program that models envelope of the interferogram on the basis of: length of the resonating cavity, refractive index and light source output spectral characteristic, which in simulation, was assumed to have shape of Gaussian distribution. After the simulation the program compares simulated and measured interferograms.

The comparison of simulated and measured interferograms proved to be challenging due to the shift in the position of the central peak between the simulated and measured interferogram. There are two ways to perform model fitting: by adjusting the position of central peaks or minimums next to the central peak. It was observed, that the second solution was more optimal and was implemented in the program.

The aim of this work is the realization of a generic gas multi-sensor device based on MOX sensitive layer. We have designed and modeled a novel detection system with several heating zones associated with three sensors supported on a few micrometers thickness membrane. The design has been optimized to overcome the problems of response stability and selectivity, and to reduce the power consumption. The heat repartition and the power consumption in function of the membrane thickness were studied by finite element simulations. The results show that a membrane thickness of 4 µm decrease the heater temperature of more than 100K versus 2 µm thickness. Ethanol detection performances were studied. The thermo-electrical characterization concluded that the three detection areas can be heated at 533K with a power of 53 mW. One sensor was tested in ethanol. The sensor response in 1 ppm and 100 ppm of ethanol in 50% relative humidity atmosphere was of 1.4 and 9.2 respectively. We demonstrated that this detection device can detect ethanol with high sensitivity and stability in dry and humid air with a reduced power consumption resulting in 18 mW per sensor.

To make Europe competitive in the field of astronomical sensors and detectors, the main goal of this research is to provide the capability to manufacture high performance infrared focal plane arrays (FPA) devoted to scientific and astronomical ground and space telescope missions. This paper presents the main outcome of an international project with the highest standard of quality for this detector. The resulting detector is a sensor with a hybridized MCT (HgCdTe) epilayer on a CdZnTe substrate of 2 k × 2 k pixels and 15 μm of pixel pitch. On this framework, an optical setup has been developed at the IFAE optical laboratory with the capabilities to perform the characterization of a near-infrared (NIR) detector covering the range from 800 to 2500 nm. The optical setup is mainly composed by a power controlled quartz-halogen (QTH) lamp and an astigmatism-corrected Czerny-Turner monochromator with a couple of diffraction gratings covering the detector wavelength range with a minimum resolution of ∼1 nm. A temperature stabilized gold-coated integration sphere provides a uniform and monochromatic illumination while a InGaAs photodiode located at the north-pole of the integration sphere is used to measure the radiant flux toward the detector. The whole setup is fully controlled by a Labview™ application and synchronized with the detector’s readout electronic (ROE).

Gold and silver nanoparticles are widely used as signal amplification elements in various electrochemical and optical sensor applications. Although these NPs can be synthesized in several ways, perhaps one of the simplest methods is the thermal annealing of pre-deposited thin films on glass. With this method, the parameters of the annealing process (time, temperature) and the pre-deposited thin film thickness influence and define the resulting size and distribution of the NPs on the surface. LSPR is a very sensitive optical phenomenon and can be utilized for a large variety of sensing purposes. SERS is an analytical method that can significantly increase the yield of Raman scattering of target molecules adsorbed on the surface of metallic nanoparticles. In this work, the performance of Au/Ag nanoislands was investigated for SERS and LSPR applications. The nanoislands were generated by thermally annealing thin layers of silver and gold, which were previously sputtered onto glass surfaces. The sensitivity of LSPR and SERS based devices are strongly depending on the used material and also on the size and geometry of the metallic nanoparticles. By controlling these parameters the plasmon absorption band can be tuned and the sensitivity can be optimized. This work was supported by the GINOP-2.3.2-15-2016-00041 project. ICs is grateful for the support of the János Bólyai Research Scholarship of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

In this study, we demonstrate the advantages of two advanced sputtering techniques for the preparation of a thin-film conductometric gas sensor. We combined tungsten oxide (WO₃) thin films with other materials to achieve enhanced sensorial behavior towards hydrogen. Thin films of WO₃ were prepared by the DC and HiPIMS technique, which allowed us to tune the phase composition and crystallinity of the oxide by changing the deposition parameters.Then, the second material was added on-top of these films. We used the copper tungstate CuWO₄ in a form of nano-islands deposited by reactive rf sputtering and Pd particles formed during conventional dc sputtering.The specimens were tested for the response to a time-varied hydrogen concentration in synthetic air at various temperatures. The sensitivity and response time were evaluated. The performance of individual films is presented as well as the details of the synthesis.Advanced magnetron techniques (such as HiPIMS) allow us to tune the property of the film to improve the sensorial behavior. The method is compatible with the silicon electronics industry, which consists of a few steps that don't require any wet technique and films can be used in an as-deposited state. Therefore, sensorial nanostructured materials prepared by magnetron sputtering are very suitable for use in miniaturized electronic devices.

Satellite imagery and remote sensoring has been used for some years in agriculture, creating terrain maps for different soil features (humidity, vegetation index, …). Multichannel information provides lots of data but with a big drawback: the low density of information per surface unit, that is, the multichanneled pixels correspond to a large surface, and it is not possible a fine characterization of the targeted areas. In this research, authors propose the enrichment of such a data by the use of autonomous robots which explore and sense the same targeted area of the satellite but yielding a finer detail of terrain, complementing and fusing both information sources. The sensory elements of the autonomous robots are in the visual spectrum as well as in the near-infrared spectrum together with Lidar and radar information. This enrichment will provide to the final user a high-density map of the soil to improve crops, irrigation, seedling and other agricultural processes. The methodology to fuse data and create high-density maps will be deep learning techniques. The system will be validated in real fields with the use of real sensors to measure the data given by satellites and robots’ sensors.

A new structure of a micro-ring resonator for label-free biosensing is proposed. The structure includes sidewall-grating Si waveguide and periodical side-blocks that can enhance the light-matter interaction. From the electromagnetic simulations, the proposed structure exhibits a four-fold improvement on the sensitivity compared with the conventional structure. Moreover, the quality factor of the proposed structure is not degraded from that of the conventional structure. The improved sensitivity is promising for the detection of nanoparticles that can be applied to the environmental field and clinical diagnostics.

First responders are tasked to intervene in small-scale emergencies and major natural or human-made disasters under unknown environments. They are required to operate around the clock, in situations that are live threatening and potential hazardous, with limited awareness of the operational situation, the mission progress and the time sensitivity. They more often than not risk their own personal safety and well-being in order to keep civilians safe. During the most demanding and extended incidents, first responders operate under complex response operation plans that involve the collaboration of multiple disciplines and teams including K9 units. Within the context of the INGENIOUS project a K9 vest for the canine of the unit is developed aiming to improve their response time, enhance their situational awareness, support the collaboration between agencies and most importantly increase their safety during missions.

In the scope of this paper, a first exemplary eddy current sensor for seawater conductivity measurement is developed, based on the derived sensor theory of a previous work. By a high frequency excitation, eddy currents are induced in the fluid and counter-fields measured with a sensing coil. The coils resonance point is used for amplification. The developed prototype is analyzed based on a derived transfer function and FEM-Simulations. The theory is validated using a prototype implementation. With conducted experiments on a sensor test bench, the characteristic were confirmed and disturbances identified. It is shown that frequencies exist, where temperature influence is minimal. This work gives a perspective for a novel sensor to allow seawater conductivity measurement.