Evanescent Wave Fiber Optic Chemical Sensor

Fiber Optic intensity sensors based on the interaction between an external medium and t he evanescent wave of unclad and tapered multimode and single mode fibers have been developed to measure refractive index, temperature and liquid level. Here we describe an intensity bio-chemical fiber optic sensor (BCFOS) where absorption of t he evanescent wave by a dye-labeled solution is used to modulate, attenuate, t he intensity of t he signal in t he core of the fiber. The fabrication and performance is described for laboratory prototype sensors using etched multimode and tapered single mode fibers.