Spectral interferometric measurement of wavelength-dependent phase response for surface plasmon resonance sensors

Here we experimentally demonstrate measurements of the wavelength-dependent phase response of a surface plasmon resonance sensor using a spectral interferometric technique. By using a broadband incoherent fiber light source and a polarimetry configuration with a high-birefringence component, the spectral phase response of a surface plasmon resonance sensor can be retrieved. A combination of wavelength interrogation and phase detection is enabled by our proposed scheme. In contrast to the previously demonstrated heterodyne or spatial fringe detection schemes, this in-line optical configuration is much simpler and can be very compact when implemented with advanced fiber optic and integrated components.