Novel measuring system for oxygen microoptodes based on a phase modulation technique

Gerhard A. Holst*, Michael Kuehl, Ingo Klimant

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

36 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

New fiber optic oxygen microsensors (microoptodes) for use in aquatic environments have recently been developed as an alternative to commonly used CLark-type oxygen microelectrodes. The microoptodes have the advantage of no oxygen consumption and no stirring sensitivity combined with a simple manufacturing process of the sensors. To avoid problems inherent to luminescence intensity measurements like photobleaching, signal dependency on the optical properties of the surrounding medium and system drifts, a novel measuring system was developed. This system uses a phase modulation method to evaluate a signal phase shift that is caused by the oxygen dependent luminescence lifetime. The measuring system is based on simple solid state technology. High reliability and low costs of the system can therefore be combined with the ability of miniaturization and low power consumption. The system consists of three units: 1) the microoptode with the optical setup [glass fiber coupler, optical filters, lenses, light source (light emitting diode) and light detection (photon multiplier tube)], 2) the analogue signal processing unit, including a special phase detection module, and 3) the digital signal processing unit, a personal computer or a microcontroller for control of the measuring system, display and data storage. First measurements of oxygen depth profiles in sediments and biofilms at high levels of ambient light demonstrated the advantages of phase shift based O 2 measurements as compared to intensity based measurements with microoptodes.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Number of pages12
Volume2508
Publication date1 Dec 1995
Pages387-398
ISBN (Print)0819418668, 9780819418661
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 1995
EventChemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Fiber Sensors VII - Munich, Ger
Duration: 19 Jun 199520 Jun 1995

Conference

ConferenceChemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Fiber Sensors VII
CityMunich, Ger
Period19/06/199520/06/1995
SponsorSPIE - Int Soc for Opt Engineering, Bellingham, WA USA

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