Vernier photonic sensor data-analysis

A non-transitory computer program product for, when executing on a processing unit, quantifying an effective refractive index change in a photonic sensor by:

• obtaining spectral data representative for an optical signal being modulated with an optical transfer characteristics of the photonic sensor, the modulation being obtained by combining modulation of a first electromagnetic wave component in an optical filter element with a first periodic transfer spectrum having a first free spectral range and modulation of a second electromagnetic wave component in an optical filter element with a second periodic transfer spectrum having a second free spectral range being different from the first free spectral range, wherein a relative change is induced in the second periodic transfer spectrum with respect to the first periodic transfer spectrum as a result of changing environmental conditions or conformational changes of the photonic sensor, and
• quantifying the effective refractive index change of the photonic sensor taking into account said spectral data,
• wherein said quantifying comprises determining a wavelength offset of an envelope signal applied to the spectral data, the envelope signal having a wavelength periodicity substantially larger than a periodicity of the first periodic transfer spectrum and the second periodic transfer spectrum.

A processor for quantifying an effective refractive index change in a photonic sensor, the processor being programmed for determining a wavelength offset of an envelope signal in spectral data, the envelope signal having a wavelength periodicity substantially larger than a periodicity of the first periodic transfer spectrum and the second periodic transfer spectrum,

• wherein said spectral data are representative for an optical signal being modulated with an optical transfer characteristics of a photonic sensor, the modulation being obtained by combining modulation of a first electromagnetic wave component in an optical filter element with a first periodic transfer spectrum having a first free spectral range and modulation of a second electromagnetic wave component in an optical filter element with a second periodic transfer spectrum having a second free spectral range being different from the first free spectral range, wherein a relative change is induced in the second periodic transfer spectrum with respect to the first periodic transfer spectrum as a result of changing environmental conditions or conformational changes of the photonic sensor.