Optical fiber sensor having a sol-gel fiber core and a method of making
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.
- Research Organization:
- Mississippi State Univ., Mississippi State, MS (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- FC26-98FT40395
- Assignee:
- Mississippi State University (Mississippi State, MS)
- Patent Number(s):
- 7,058,243
- Application Number:
- 10/046,731
- OSTI ID:
- 1175783
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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