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.