High-sensitivity fiber-optic humidity sensor based on microfiber overlaid with niobium disulfide.

Humidity sensors by exploiting transition metal dichalcogenides have attracted enormous attention in various applications. Here, we demonstrate a high-sensitivity fiber-optic humidity sensor based on microfibers overlaid with niobium disulfide (NbS₂). Our experimental results show that this type of humidity sensor has high sensitivity, and good repeatability and reversibility. In the RH range of 72–97%, a sensitivity of up to 1.05 dB/RH% and an excellent linearity correlation of 99.5% were achieved. The transmission spectrum of the humidity sensor indicates that this sensor has a wide wavelength detection range from 1530 to 1565 nm. We applied the sensor to monitor human breath with a fast response. We anticipate that the humidity sensor will be useful for the environmental monitoring, food production, and semiconductor industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]