摘要 |
2078786 9114957 PCTABS00007 A fiber optic chemical sensor (10) is made water repellent by attaching a plurality of long, hydrophobic chains, e.g. silane polymers, to the surface. The chains extend from the surface and form a semi-permeable barrier which repels water molecules while selectively passing analyte molecules therethrough. In one configuration, the hydrophobic chains are attached substantially uniformly over the clad (14). In a second configuration, clad (26) is a plurality of spaced stripes with the hydrophobic chains attached in the gaps (30) between the stripes. In another configuration, a patterned hydrophobic coating (50) of alternating thick and thin segments (44, 46) is formed on the clad (43).
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