Title: Optical fiber sensor having a sol-gel fiber core and a method of making

Abstract

A simple, economic wet chemical procedure is described for making sol-gel fibers. The sol-gel fibers made from this process are transparent to ultraviolet, visible and near infrared light. Light can be guided in these fibers by using an organic polymer as a fiber cladding. Alternatively, air can be used as a low refractive index medium. The sol-gel fibers have a micro pore structure which allows molecules to diffuse into the fiber core from the surrounding environment. Chemical and biochemical reagents can be doped into the fiber core. The sol-gel fiber can be used as a transducer for constructing an optical fiber sensor. The optical fiber sensor having an active sol-gel fiber core is more sensitive than conventional evanescent wave absorption based optical fiber sensors.

Inventors:

Tao, Shiquan; Jindal, Rajeev; Winstead, Christopher; Singh, Jagdish P.

Issue Date:

Tue Jun 06 00:00:00 EDT 2006

Research Org.:

Mississippi State Univ., Mississippi State, MS (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1175783

Patent Number(s):

7058243

Application Number:

10/046,731

Assignee:

Mississippi State University (Mississippi State, MS)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

C - CHEMISTRY C03 - GLASS C03B - MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

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C - CHEMISTRY C03 - GLASS C03B - MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES

C03B2201/40 - doped with transition metals other than rare earth metals, e.g. Zr, Nb, Ta or Zn
C03B37/016 - by a liquid phase reaction process, e.g. through a gel phase

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

G01N2021/7713 - {in core}
G01N21/7703 - {using reagent-clad optical fibres or optical waveguides

G - PHYSICS G02 - OPTICS G02B - OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS, OR APPARATUS

G02B6/102 - {for infra-red and ultra-violet radiation}

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DOE Contract Number:  

FC26-98FT40395

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION