Fiber Optic Sensors: Recent Developments

Abstract

Biosensors are attracting the attention of many investigators in the field of biotechnology related research. A biosensor is a device that combines the specificity of a biomaterial (enzymes, antibodies, receptors or even whole cells) with sensitive, well established bioassays. Biosensors are of potential use in many fields including clinical and biotechnology monitoring. An important class of enzymes, effecting H₂O₂ generation or O₂ depletion, can be monitored by following the enzymatic reaction, and thus determining the substrate level. Other enzyme systems, like urease and penicillnase, result in a pH change which can be followed using a pH sensitive device. For the many advantages of fiber optic sensing, extensive research effort have been devoted to the production of reliable, self contained and sensitive fiber optic biosensors which are capable of in situ monitoring. An over view of the possibilities and challenges associated with the construction of such sensors are discussed.