Fiber optic chemical sensors based on polymer swelling

摘要

Chemical sensors can detect the presence of chemical species in solution based upon polymer swelling in response to the chemical species. Polymer swelling is indirectly determined by measuring light reflected from a reflector affixed directly or indirectly to the polymer. Such that increase or decrease in the size of the polymer changes the distance between the reflector and a light source. Measurements of the light reflected from the reflector indicate the amount of swelling or shrinkage of the polymer in response to the chemical species.