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Title: Development of fluorescence lifetime diagnostic. Project accomplishments summary (Attachment 1), Revision 1

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/296827· OSTI ID:296827

Fiber-optic-based sensors are excellent candidates for detecting the presence and monitoring the levels of degradation products in stockpiled weapons. Specifically, fluorescence-based sensors are extremely sensitive, can have high specificity for compounds of interest, and are electrically inert. In addition to their applications in the enhanced surveillance program, fiber optic sensors are important for remote sensing, environmental remediation, and medical diagnostics. Optiphase Inc. has developed inexpensive technology for extremely precise measurement of phase shifts of interferometric optical and electrical signals. The company was interested in applying this capability in the rapidly expanding field of fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy, but lacked the expertise and resources associated with fluorescence chemistry and instrumentation. LLNL`s fiber-optic sensor group had significant expertise in these areas, but had previously concentrated its efforts on the chemistry, sensitivity, and selectivity of fluorescence amplitude-based sensors. Stability is a well known issue with this type of sensor whereas lifetime-based sensors exhibit excellent stability, a critical factor for the efficacy of sensors employed in the long-term monitoring of stockpiled weapons. Cooperation with the company afforded LLNL access to enabling, proprietary technology which could simplify and accelerate the transition to the next level of Enhanced Surveillance Program (ESP) sensor sophistication, namely fluorescence lifetime based sensors.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
296827
Report Number(s):
LLNL-99001314; ON: DE99001314; BR: DP0301000; CRN: CRADA/TSB-1449-97; TRN: AHC29903%%225
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 18 Feb 1998
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English