CORDIS Database: RESULTS
Optical Sensors (Optical Fibres for Light Transmission)

Record Control Number : 25876
Quality Validation Date : 2001-02-27
Update Date : 2001-02-27
Abstract : There exist many different optical effects that can be used for the 
		measurement of physical and chemical magnitudes. For instance, we 
		can determine the spectral attenuation (or transmission)  of the 
		light after the interaction with some external medium. In some 
		cases this attenuation will give us information about the 
		substances that are present in that medium and their concentrations.
		We can also use an interferometric setup. In this case, it is the 
		phase of the radiation the property that changes in response to the 
		external medium or effect. The interference between the beam that 
		has been affected by that change and a reference, unaffected beam 
		provides us the required information about the external measure. In 
		recent years the so-called surface plasmon resonance optical 
		sensors has been developed. It can be used for the determination of 
		refractive indices of liquid media. What we measure in this case is 
		the attenuation of the light guided by a fibre whose cladding has 
		been partially removed. A multilayer structure, including a 
		metallic layer is deposited onto the fibre. Depending on the 
		refractive index of the external medium in contact with the 
		multi-layer, the mode travelling in the fibre can excite a plasmon 
		in the metallic layer, producing in this way a strong, measurable, 
		attenuation in the output optical power of the fibre.
		
		Main Advantages:
		
		Optical sensors present some important advantages for the 
		determination of physical or chemical properties:
		-The cost is low and the technology is well known and extended.
		-The sensors can reach measurement regions or points with difficult 
		access.
		-The measurement is non-destructive and non-invasive.
		-The sensors can be easily integrated in complex measurement 
		systems.
		-The sensors can easily be networked to control (even in a 
		distributed way)  a range of parameters in extended regions.
Innovative Aspects : An optical sensor uses optical effects to determine some physical 
		or chemical properties of a sample. The use of optical fibres for 
		light transmission (or even as the sensing element)  permits the 
		improvement of the sensor performance. The optical sensor is 
		non-destructive and non-invasive. The sensors can be easily 
		integrated in complex measurement systems.
Subject Descriptors : Biophysics, Inspection, testing
Subject Index Codes : Life Sciences, Measurement Methods
Stage of Development : Development phase
Remarks : IRC Data: BBS Ref OO/UCM/28
Property Rights : Partnership/other contractual agreement(s)
Collaboration Sought : Joint venture agreement, Licence agreement

Contact Details
  Contact Name : GAYO, Elena
  Contact Organisation : D.G. de Investigacion de la Consejeria de Educacion y Cultura de la CAM
  Address : Centro de Enlace para la Innovación
calle Cidacos, 7
  City : Madrid
  Region : COMUNIDAD DE MADRID
  Postcode : E - 28002
  Country : SPAIN
  Telephone Number : +34-91-7450853
  Fax Number : +34-91-7450863
  Electronic Mailbox : elenagayo@idetra.com






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