Method and apparatus for a chemical sensor

A gaseous detection apparatus, comprising:

• a sample cell containing at least one aperture and a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a chemiluminescent material that produces photons upon exposure to a fluorine-containing compound;
• the substrate comprises a top substrate surface opposite from a bottom substrate surface;
• the photons are produced on the top substrate surface;
• a photo-detector positioned to receive at least a portion of the photons, wherein the photo-detector generates an electrical output signal relating to a concentration of the fluorine-containing compound;
• and
• the substrate and the photo-detector are aligned and the top substrate surface is closer to the photo-detector than the bottom substrate surface.

A portable, gaseous monitoring apparatus, comprising:

• a sample cell containing a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a chemiluminescent material that produces photons upon exposure to a fluorine-containing compound;
• the sample cell is in gas communication with a flow path;
• the flow path includes the fluorine-containing compound and at least one aperture;
• and
• a photo-detector positioned to receive at least a portion of the photons, wherein the photo-detector generates an electrical output signal relating to a concentration of the fluorine-containing compound.

A method for monitoring a gas sample, comprising:

• flowing the gas sample through a sample cell containing a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a chemiluminescent material;
• exposing the substrate to a fluorine-containing compound within the gas sample;
• producing photons upon exposure of the chemiluminescent material to the fluorine-containing compound;
• measuring the photons with a photo-detector;
• and
• generating an electrical output signal relating to a concentration of the fluorine-containing compound.