Sensing system based on a fluorophore array

A sensing system for identifying an analyte, the system comprising:

• a light source, an optical detecting system, and an array of sensors each supported on a substrate, each sensor comprising (a) a top layer comprising a fluorophore, and (b) an intermediate layer in between the top layer and the substrate for amplifying an optical response from the fluorophore,
• wherein the intermediate layer is between 100 nm and 1000 nm in thickness, consists essentially of one or more polymers and has a refractive index less than that of the fluorophore, and
• wherein at least two sensors in the array have respective intermediate layers that differ in thickness, such that when the light source is activated in the presence of an analyte in its gas phase, the optical detecting system would detect altered optical responses from the at least two sensors indicating signal quenching by at least 10% from one sensor and emission enhancement by at least 10% from the other sensor, thereby generating a fluorescent pattern for identifying the analyte by comparing the pattern to one or more target chemicals and wherein the substrate comprises a material selected from the group consisting of glass, flat silicon, porous silicon, and a polymer different from the intermediate layer.