A novel technique for rapid vapor detection using swelling polymer covered microstrip ring resonator

A state of the art technique is presented to enable the use of a planar RF resonator in Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) vapors detection as a simple and low cost sensor platform. In the proposed solution, swelling polymer (polydimethylsiloxane; PDMS) film is deposited on top of a Microstrip ring resonator. At the exposure of the PDMS layer to various concentrations of VOCs such as ethanol and acetone, the PDMS layer adsorbs the vapors. This results in a change in the PDMS thickness and permittivity, which is then detected by a shift in the resonance frequency of the resonator. It is believed that the combination of swelling polymers and the Microstrip resonators can pave the way towards application of planar RF resonators for gas phase detection.