Optical fiber for sensing an analyte, methods of forming and using the same

A method of forming an optical fiber for sensing an analyte, the method comprising:

• forming a dielectric core wall defining a hollow space;
• forming a cladding layer surrounding the dielectric core wall and spaced apart from the dielectric core wall;
• forming a plurality of supports extending from the cladding layer to the dielectric core wall;
• wherein a thickness of the dielectric core wall is greater than a thickness of each of the plurality of supports;
• and
• wherein the dielectric core wall is configured to carry an optical light for sensing the analyte.

A method of using an optical fiber for sensing an analyte, the method comprising:

• providing the analyte to the optical fiber, wherein the optical fiber comprises a dielectric core wall defining a hollow space, a cladding layer surrounding the dielectric core wall and spaced apart from the dielectric core wall, and a plurality of supports extending from the cladding layer to the dielectric core wall;
• providing an optical light to the dielectric core wall which carries the optical light for sensing the analyte;
• and
• determining the optical light at an output of the optical fiber;
• wherein a thickness of the dielectric core wall is greater than a thickness of each of the plurality of supports.