Polymer single-nanowire for optical humidity sensing

We report a general route to optical sensing with waveguiding polymer single nanowires. Functionalized polymer single nanowires, drawn from solvated polymers, are evanescently coupled to nanoscale fiber tapers for optical launching and signal collection. Based on pronounced changes in waveguiding behavior of the nanowire when exposed to specimens, polymer single-nanowire optical sensors for humidity detection is demonstrated with high sensitivity and fast response.