Distributed fluorescent optical fiber proximity sensor: Towards a proof of concept

Area of Science:

• Optoelectronics
• Optical Sensing
• Materials Science

Background:

• Fluorescent fibers emit light in response to incident phenomena, with properties determined by doping dyes.
• These characteristics are valuable for developing advanced optical sensors.
• Existing systems can benefit from integrated, low-cost sensing solutions.

Discussion:

• A novel, low-cost distributed proximity sensor is proposed, utilizing a red fluorescent fiber.
• The sensor's operation relies on detecting changes in incident illumination intensity caused by nearby obstacles.
• This variation directly influences the fiber's radiated fluorescence, enabling proximity detection.

Key Insights:

• The proposed sensor integrates a red fluorescent fiber for proximity detection.
• Illumination intensity variations due to obstacles modulate fluorescence output.
• A prototype setup uses axial and side LED illumination with electronic processing.

Outlook:

• Measurement results from the prototype validate the proposed sensor concept.
• This technology presents a viable security enhancement for surface plasmon resonance systems.
• Further research could explore diverse fluorescent materials and applications.