At the Institute of Laser for Postgraduate Studies/University of Baghdad, a Master’s thesis titled “Optical Fiber Based Refractive Index Sensor for Acetone Concentration Detection” was discussed by the student Yusra Hussein Kadhum, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Abdulhadi M. Al-Janabi and Assistant Prof. Dr. Ansam M. Salman. The thesis aimed to design, fabricate, and evaluate the performance of a fiber optic sensor using a no-core fiber (NCF) with an SMF-NCF-SMF structure to detect acetone concentrations in both liquid and vapor states. The sensing mechanism relied on enhancing the evanescent field by adjusting the lengths and diameters of the fibers to achieve the best response. The results showed that the sensor exhibited high sensitivity and the ability to detect very low concentrations of acetone, reaching parts per million (ppm), along with excellent stability and repeatability. The study also demonstrated the potential for employing this type of sensor in environmental monitoring and non-invasive medical applications, such as tracking diabetes through acetone analysis in exhaled breath. This research represents a significant step towards developing advanced local technologies in fiber optic sensors, characterized by accuracy, fast response, and low cost compared to traditional methods.
