초록 ▼

A gas or vapor permeable optical fiber waveguide with a liquid core is employed as a probe for the detection or measurement of a chemical specie of interest by filling the waveguide core region with a reagent liquid which undergoes a change in an optical characteristic thereof when exposed to the ch

A gas or vapor permeable optical fiber waveguide with a liquid core is employed as a probe for the detection or measurement of a chemical specie of interest by filling the waveguide core region with a reagent liquid which undergoes a change in an optical characteristic thereof when exposed to the chemical specie and then inserting the filled waveguide into an environment in which the chemical specie may be present. The chemical specie, if present, will permeate through the waveguide wall and react with or be absorbed in the core liquid. Sensitivity is enhanced by controlling the pressure differential across the waveguide wall and/or by shaping the waveguide to enlarge the surface area. When the reaction generates light, the devices which detect that light will be shaped and disposed to maximize the collection thereof.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for the optical detection of a chemical substance comprising the steps of:filling the core region of a rigid tubular optical waveguide with a liquid which undergoes a change in an optical characteristic thereof upon exposure to a chemical substance of interest, t

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for the optical detection of a chemical substance comprising the steps of:filling the core region of a rigid tubular optical waveguide with a liquid which undergoes a change in an optical characteristic thereof upon exposure to a chemical substance of interest, the tubular waveguide being comprised of an optically clear amorphous polymer having a refractive index of less than 1.33, the liquid having an index of refraction which exceeds that of the waveguide, the waveguide being impermeable to the liquid delivered into the core region thereof and being permeable to gas and vapor;exposing at least a portion of the exterior of the filled waveguide to an ambient environment which may include the chemical substance of interest;controlling the pressure of the ambient environment to thereby influence the rate of permeation of the chemical substance of interest through the waveguide; andmonitoring a change in an optical characteristic of the core liquid which occurs upon permeation of the chemical substance of interest through a wall of the tubular waveguide.