Patent ID: 6385380
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: G01N,G02B

Abstract:
Apparatus for optical trace analysis in an aqueous solution comprising:a liquid core optical waveguide, said waveguide comprising an optically clear capillary having a hollow core region, said core region having a longitudinal axis, said waveguide having a layer comprised of an amorphous fluorinated polymer, said layer being coaxial with said core region, said polymer having an index of refraction which is less than the refractive index of the liquid to be delivered to the core region of the waveguide, said waveguide having first and second ends and an exterior side surface extending longitudinally between said ends; a light source, the output frequency of said source being selected to cause the apparatus to function in a predetermined measurement mode; means for transmitting light from said source into the core region of the waveguide, said transmitting means comprising at least a first optical fiber, said first optical fiber having a discharge end coupled to the exterior side surface of said waveguide and the light from said source passes through said first optical fiber into said core region without traversing an air gap; means for collecting light in the core region of the waveguide and coupling the collected light out of the waveguide, said collecting means comprising at least a second optical fiber, said second optical fiber having a collection end; means for analyzing the light coupled out of said waveguide by said collecting means; and means for delivering a liquid solvent to said waveguide core region.