Fibre optics sensor arrays

Fig. 1 Set-up of the fibre optic sensor array. Reprinted with permission liom [10]...

The fibre optic sensor array was also tested in a classic electronic nose application, showing the ability to discriminate between pure analytes and more complex odours, such as those of coffee beans [14]. 

Real-time hybridization of 5 -fluorescein-labelled target oligonucleotides was described using a fibre-optic DNA sensor by Ehrat [32], Lu [33] and coworkers, and a fibre-optic DNA sensor array capable of positively identifying a point mutation of a biotin-primer-labelled PCR product was reported by Walt [34]. 

Laser Fluorimeter As 2i source of biological information we propose the use of a multi-station (up to 12 sampling locations) towed sea water laser fluorimeter for water quality analysis specific to selected hydrocarbons which might be present in the area. The laser excites elements of the plankton population and that of calibrated hydrocarbons (e.g. breakdown products of munitions contents) present in the water. The fluorescent spectra are received through a fibre optic cable, split and counted through specific filters. From this data a direct correlation of the effects of pollution on the plankton population can be made. The system would be towed in conjunction with the multi-sensor towed array. 

The future of Raman microspectroscopy is probably imaging and optical near-field nano-Raman spectroscopy [529], cfr. Chp. 5.5.2. While conventional laser Raman spectroscopy samples 10 g (mm ), /zRS handles 10 g (nm ) and near-field Raman spectroscopy 10 g (nm ). Mobile Raman microscopy (MRM) allows in situ Raman analysis [530]. One can expect further developments in the field of NIR multichannel Raman spectroscopy with the advent of 2D array detectors offering extended response in the NIR. With these 2D sensors it wiU become possible to apply in the NIR region the powerful techniques already developed in the visible, such as confocal line imaging techniques or multisite remote analysis with optical fibres. 

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