Optical cross-switch gas intrusion detector and detection method

摘要

A system and method are provided for detection of gas intrusion into a fluid-containing device Ä50Ü. The fluid-containing device Ä50Ü has a first waveguide Ä62Ü and a second waveguide Ä92Ü that intersect at a trench Ä62+92Ü such that optical coupling between the first and second waveguides Ä62,92Ü is dependent upon an absence of a fluid in the trench Ä62+92Ü. The fluid containing device Ä50Ü includes a fluid removal mechanism for removing fluid to the trench Ä62+92Ü to switch the fluid-containing device Ä50Ü. An optical connection is made between first ends of the first and second waveguides Ä62,92Ü and a light source Ä102Ü provides a light at a second end of the first waveguide Ä62Ü and a detector Ä102Ü detects the light at a second end of the second waveguide Ä92Ü. The times required to remove and return the fluid from the trench Ä62+92Ü are used as an indicator of gas intrusion into the fluid containing device Ä50Ü. <IMAGE>