Optical sensor with radioluminescent light source

An optical sensing system for detecting concentration of a selected substance in a test medium, comprising:

• a radioluminescent source emitting light;
• a sensing matrix exposed to the test medium, said sensing matrix absorbing light from said radioluminescent source to produce an optical characteristic, the optical characteristic varying in accordance with concentration of the selected substance in the test medium;
• and
• a photodetector configured to detect the optical characteristic and provide a corresponding signal to indicate concentration of the selected substance in the test medium.

An optical sensor for detecting a selected substance in a test medium, comprising:

• a radioluminescent source emitting light;
• a sensing matrix having a fluorophore portion, said sensing matrix being exposed to the test medium, said sensing matrix providing a fluorescent emission in response to absorption of light from said radioluminescent source;
• and
• a photodetector detecting a first intensity of the fluorescent emission when the test medium does not include the selected substance and said photodetector detecting a second intensity of the fluorescent emission when the test medium includes the selected substance, said second intensity differing from said first intensity.

An optical sensing system for detecting a selected substance, comprising:

• a radioluminescent light source, including:
• a radioactive constituent,
• a phosphor constituent energized by radiation from said radioactive constituent to emit light;
• a sensing matrix absorbing light from said radioluminescent light source, said sensing matrix being defined separately from said radioluminescent light source to produce an optical characteristic, said optical characteristic changing upon exposure of said sensing matrix to the selected substance;
• and
• a photodetector configured to detect the optical characteristic and provide a corresponding signal to indicate detection of the selected substance.