Application of ferrocene-based polymers in optical fiber gas sensing

Mohd Refaei; Loren I. Espada; Mehdi Shadaram

doi:10.1117/12.394057

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28 July 2000 Application of ferrocene-based polymers in optical fiber gas sensing

Mohd Refaei, Loren I. Espada, Mehdi Shadaram

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Proceedings Volume 4036, Chemical and Biological Sensing; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.394057
Event: AeroSense 2000, 2000, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

We have successfully evaluated and incorporated ferrocene- based polymers as sensing elements in a novel tapered optical fiber device. Preliminary studies have shown that certain gases can modify the refractive index of these polymers. We have used these polymers as cladding over a tapered region of single-mode fibers. The device behaves as a modal interferometer with a beat length that is controlled by the diameter of the tapered region and the refractive index of the cladding. We have shown that a small variation in the refractive index of the polymer has a direct influence on the transmission characteristic of the tapered region. The responses of several sensors to ammonia, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide have been examined. We have fabricated several sensors with different sensitivities by tuning their beat length. Reusability and selectivity of several sensors have also been investigated. A novel, computer based, analysis has been developed to predict the behavior of these devices. A reasonable agreement has been obtained between the experiments and the theory. These sensors can be fabricated inexpensively and operated in harsh environment. A few potential applications are pollution detection, hazardous waste analysis, exhaust analysis of internal combustion engines, and explosive gas monitoring.

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Mohd Refaei, Loren I. Espada, and Mehdi Shadaram "Application of ferrocene-based polymers in optical fiber gas sensing", Proc. SPIE 4036, Chemical and Biological Sensing, (28 July 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.394057

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