Evanescent-wave infrared spectroscopy with flattened fibers as sensing elements

Fiber-optic evanescent-wave spectroscopy (FEWS) is a novel method for measuring the absorption spectra of samples in contact with a segment of an optical fiber that serves as a sensing element. We used a cylindrical IR-transmitting AgClBr fiber whose central section, of length L, was flattened to a thickness d. This section was used as the FEWS sensing element. Our theoretical work predicted that the signals obtained in FEWS measurements should be linearly dependent on L and inversely proportional to d. Decreasing the thickness can significantly increase its sensitivity of the sensor. These theoretical results were verified experimentally by measurements of methanol and water. (C) 2003 Optical Society of America.