Sensor incorporating an optical fiber and a solid porous inorganic microsphere
First Claim
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1. A sensor comprising:
- a. a solid porous inorganic microsphere; and
b. an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end of said optical fiber being coupled to said solid porous inorganic microsphere.
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Abstract
The invention is a sensor which includes a porous microsphere and an optical fiber which having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the optical fiber is coupled to the porous microsphere by an adhesive material. The porous microsphere is doped with a dopant. The dopant may be either an organic dye or an inorganic ion. A sensing apparatus includes the sensor, a spectrophotometer and a source of light. The spectrophotometer is coupled to the proximal end of the optical fiber. The source of light causes either the organic dye or the inorganic ion to fluoresce.
286 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A sensor comprising:
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a. a solid porous inorganic microsphere; and b. an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end of said optical fiber being coupled to said solid porous inorganic microsphere. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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5. A sensor comprising:
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a. a solid non-porous inorganic microsphere which is doped with a radioluminescent dye; and b. an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end of said optical fiber being coupled to said solid non-porous inorganic microsphere.
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11. A sensing apparatus comprising:
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a. a solid porous inorganic microsphere; b. a first optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end of said first optical fiber being coupled to said solid porous inorganic microsphere; and c. a spectrophotometer coupled to said proximal end of said first optical fiber. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A sensing apparatus comprising:
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a. a solid porous inorganic microsphere which is doped with an organic dye; b. a first optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end of said first optical fiber being coupled to said solid porous inorganic microsphere; c. a source of light coupled to said proximal end of said first optical fiber, said source of light causing said organic dye to fluoresce; d. a second optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end of said second optical fiber being coupled to said porous inorganic microsphere; and e. a spectrophotometer coupled to said proximal end of said second optical fiber. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification