Semiconductor metal oxide/polymer based fiber optic lossy mode resonance sensors: A contemporary study

Lossy mode resonance (LMR) based sensors have gained attention in the literature during last two decades. Understanding lossy nature of the optical modes guided through the optical substrates took researcher's interest to their applications in the field of diagnostic and sensing of various analytes. In this review, the attention has been paid to the emergence and developments of LMR phenomenon as a fiber optic sensing platform. Concept and basic configuration of LMR sensor and parameters evaluating the performance of such sensors have been discussed in detail. Optical materials such as transparent semiconductor metal oxides (TSMOs) and few polymers have been found to support LMR. In view of this, optical fiber based chemical and biosensors utilizing such materials have been reviewed. In addition, the analysis of the potentials of LMR based bulk/nanostructured sensors with future possibilities have been discussed.