Selective multi-chemical fiber optic sensor

摘要

A fiber optic sensor for detecting at least one chemical by evanescent wave spectroscopy comprises a generator of a light signal, a mirror for introducing the light signal into a fiber, a clad optical chalcogenide glass fiber, a mirror for directing the light signal from the fiber into a detector, and a detector for detecting chemicals by the fiber. The fiber comprises a core and a clad having lower refractive index than the core enveloping and being in continuous contact with the core, at least one region on the fiber completely or partially devoid of the clad, and a polymer disposed in the region having affinity for the chemical(s). There being a different polymer in each region if there is more than one region.