Distributed biochemical optical fibre sensing

The aim of this project is to investigate the possibilities of remote, quasi-distributed and distributed optical fibre sensors (OFS) which couple light to and from bespoke fluorescent coatings. Methods of maximising the evanescent field to allow a probe signal to interact with the coating, such as fibre thinning, polishing and inscribed structures, will be simulated and trialled. Methods of applying coatings of different compositions will be investigated. A variety of fluorophores will be considered for their ability to be functionalised and act as sensors for a variety of measurands including temperature, chemicals, pH and other environmental factors. It is hoped that by the end of the project, a new OFS format which can be easily adapted for different purposes will be developed.