US 5,250,095 A · Method for making porous glass optical fiber sensor

Abstract

A porous glass optical fiber sensor, a method for its use, and a method for its manufacture. The sensor includes a glass optical fiber for conveying light, the fiber having a surface of interconnected and permeable chambers within the fiber, for optically sensing within the chambers. An indicator can be applied to the surface for sensing. The sensor is made by: first, drawing the fiber; second, heat treating the fiber to induce phase separation; and third, leaching a phase from the fiber. Thereafter, an indicator, such as a pH or moisture indicator, can be applied to the fiber for sensing. The sensor is used in conjunction with a light source, a light detector, and means for measuring change in the light caused by an agent within the porosity of the sensor.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A method for producing an optical fiber sensor, the method comprising the steps of:

first, constructing a glass optical fiber from a phase separable glass;
second, heating the glass optical fiber to induce phase separation;
third, leaching at least some of the glass phase from a portion of the fiber to form a segment having an interconnected porosity;
fourth, locating the glass optical fiber to receive light from means for communicating the light through the optical fiber and through the segment having an interconnected porosity and to convey the light to means for sensing change in the light caused by a substance permeating the interconnected porosity to permeate an optical fiber sensor;
and
wherein said method is devoid of a step of removing the porosity from the optical fiber.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method for making porous glass optical fiber sensor

Life of this patent

Method for making porous glass optical fiber sensor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15