Characterization of a quasi-distributed optical fiber chemical sensor

Peter A. Wallace; Yatao Yang; Mahesh Uttamlal; Michael Campbell; Sheila Smith

doi:10.1117/12.252132

24 September 1996 Characterization of a quasi-distributed optical fiber chemical sensor

Peter A. Wallace, Yatao Yang, Mahesh Uttamlal, Michael Campbell, Sheila Smith

Proceedings Volume 2895, Fiber Optic Sensors V; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.252132
Event: Photonics China '96, 1996, Beijing, China

Abstract

A distributed optical fiber pH sensor based on time resolved fluorescence is investigated. Fluorescein sodium was chosen as a pH indicator for this work because of its well known properties and high fluorescent intensity. A low temperature sol-gel glass manufacturing process was utilized to immobilize the indicator onto the optical fiber core. Thin (approximately 1 micrometer) porus glass films were deposited on the surface of the optical fiber core with indicator molecules entrapped in the matrix. An OTDR technique was employed to obtain the signal at specific positions along the fiber. A dye laser, pumped by a N₂ laser, produced 1 ns light pulses at 490 nm which were launched into a 1 by 2 optical fiber coupler. A 100 meter fiber with eight sensor sites was spliced to the coupler. The indicator molecules were excited via the evanescent wave. Part of the fluorescent emission from the indicator molecules was coupled back into the fiber and transmitted back to the coupler. A fast PMT tube was attached to the other arm of the 1 by 2 coupler to detect the fluorescent light. Results were obtained for solutions of various pH value in the range 6 - 12. The system appears to have potential for applications in environmental and safety monitoring.

Citation Download Citation

Peter A. Wallace, Yatao Yang, Mahesh Uttamlal, Michael Campbell, and Sheila Smith "Characterization of a quasi-distributed optical fiber chemical sensor", Proc. SPIE 2895, Fiber Optic Sensors V, (24 September 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.252132

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available