Stage
Second Year MSc or MEng Internship proposal on Optical fiber refractometers for methane sensing
Date de publication
12.01.25
Prise de poste souhaitée
17.03.25

In the ANR FRAME project, we are initiating the design and development of a robust, high-precision fiber optic refractometer. This instrument is designed for long-term, in situ detection of dissolved methane gas in harsh aquatic environments. Given the impact of climate change on methane emissions, accurate sensors are essential for effective monitoring in situ and mitigation.

The primary goal of this internship is to conduct simulations of light propagation from the lead-in fiber to the sensing fiber, designing a GUI for the simulation, to perform a comprehensive laboratory-level characterization of fiber refractometer using micro-PC syncronized detection.
Tasks and objectives of the internship:
- Carry out literature research on optical fiber refractometer fundamentals via textbooks and scientific publications
- design and simulation of fiber optic refractometer models by using multi-physics or optical simulation tools (e.g. Matlab, COMSOL, Lumerical)
- characterization and tests of fiber optic refractometer in laboratory by using glycerol and water mixtures, and micro-PC syncronized detection.
Working environment:
The candidate will integrate at the Optical Sensors and Smart Integrated Systems research group (OASIS) of LAAS-CNRS, located at the ENSEEIHT site in Toulouse. He / She will be working under the supervision of our Ph.D. student and post-doctoral research fellow who are at the forefront of the optical fiber refractometer technology development within our research group.
Desired competences and personality:
- knowledge in one or several of the following topics: electrics/electronics, electro-optics, optics, and chemical background will be an advantage.
- experience in simulation (FEM, Matlab, etc) and experimental work
- ability to work in a research team
- autonomy and a keen sense of problem solving
- strong interest in research in physics and engineering, with good analytical and learning ability
Important information:
- Please send your CV and motivation letter to
- Ardi Rahman (arahman@laas.fr) or
- Dr Han Cheng SEAT (hcseat@laas.fr)
- Internship duration: 4 – 6 months
- Monthly allowance: 640€
- Interview date: January-February 2025
- Preferred start date: middle to end of March 2025
References :
[1] H. Apriyanto, “Study, analysis and experimental validation of fiber refractometers based on single-mode, multimode and photonic crystal fibers for refractive index measurements with application for the detection of methane,” Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse (Toulouse INP), 2019. Link.
[2] H. Apriyanto et al., “Comprehensive Modeling of Multimode Fiber Sensors for Refractive Index Measurement and Experimental Validation,” Sci. Rep., vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 1–13, 2018, doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-24153-0. Link.
[3] C. Boulart, M. C. Mowlem, D. P. Connelly, J.-P. Dutasta, and C. R. German, “A novel, low-cost, high performance dissolved methane sensor for aqueous environments,” Opt. Express, vol. 16, no. 17, p. 12607, 2008, doi: 10.1364/oe.16.012607. Link.
[4] Rahman, Ardi, et al. "Experimental Investigation of Microstructured and Capillary Optical Fibers for Refractive Index Measurement from 1.316 to 1.425 RIU." 2024 IEEE SENSORS. IEEE, 2024. Link.