Instrumentation for fluorescence-based fiber optic biosensors

This chapter summarizes the construction principles, operation, and calibration of (single-fiber) fluorescence-based fiber optic sensors. These sensors transduce recognition of a chemical analyte by a transducer such as a protein molecule as a change in fluorescence wavelength or lifetime that can be measured remotely through a length of fiber optic. Examples are given of determination of metal ions in aqueous solution by fluorescence ratio and lifetime. Included are descriptions of instruments, alignment procedures, identification of noise sources, use of calibration standards, factors in the use of long fibers for sensing, issues in field and shipboard operation, and probe preparation.