Fibre Optic Oxygen Sensor

The oxygen sensor consists of a fibre optic fluorescence probe with a proprietary thin film coating on its tip, and a blue LED as the excitation source. The high sensitivity AvaSpec miniature spectrometer completes the system.

The sensor uses a fluorescence technique to measure the absolute concentration of oxygen. An optical fibre carries the light produced by the blue LED to the thin film coating at the probe tip. Fluorescence generated at the probe is then reflected back to the detector. When oxygen in the gas or liquid sample diffuses into the thin film coating, it quenches the fluorescence. The degree of quenching correlates to the oxygen concentration.

The AvaSoft-OXY application software is used to both calibrate the sensor and monitor oxygen concentration.

A typical setup for oxygen measurements is shown in the illustration above.

Typical components used for oxygen measurements