Numerical Analysis of an Ultra-Sensitive Optical Fiber for Hemoglobin Concentration Detection

Abstract

Hemoglobin is a vital protein in the human body, and its deficiency leads to anemia. This condition reduces oxygen levels in red blood cells, which can be life-threatening. This paper presents the design of a novel optical fiber (OF) sensor for label-free detection of hemoglobin concentration. The sensor features concentric layers of gold and silica arranged sequentially. Finite element method (FEM) simulations were used to analyze its performance. The results indicate that for a refractive index (RI) range of 1.34 to 1.41, the sensor achieves a wavelength sensitivity (Sw) of up to 38,000 nm/RIU and an amplitude sensitivity (SA) of 11,280 RIU⁻¹. The sensor exhibits a resolution of 1.85 × 10⁻⁶ RIU and a figure of merit (FOM) of 736.56 RIU⁻¹. Its simple construction and high sensitivity make it a promising candidate for hemoglobin detection applications.