A Dew-Condensation Sensor Exploiting Local Variations in the Relative Refractive Index on the Dew-Friendly Surface of a Waveguide

Abstract

We propose a sensor technology for detecting dew condensation, which exploits a variation in the relative refractive index on the dew-friendly surface of an optical waveguide. The dew-condensation sensor is composed of a laser, waveguide, medium (i.e., filling material for the waveguide), and photodiode. The formation of dewdrops on the waveguide surface causes local increases in the relative refractive index accompanied by the transmission of the incident light rays, hence reducing the light intensity inside the waveguide. In particular, the dew-friendly surface of the waveguide is obtained by filling the interior of the waveguide with liquid H2O, i.e., water. A geometric design for the sensor was first carried out considering the curvature of the waveguide and the incident angles of the light rays. Moreover, the optical suitability of waveguide media with various absolute refractive indices, i.e., water, air, oil, and glass, were evaluated through simulation tests. In actual experiments, the sensor with the water-filled waveguide displayed a wider gap between the measured photocurrent levels under conditions with and without dew, than those with the air- and glass-filled waveguides, as a result of the relatively high specific heat of the water. The sensor with the water-filled waveguide exhibited excellent accuracy and repeatability as well.