Polymer waveguide sensor arrays for enhanced multichemical detection

We report the development of absorption-based waveguide sensors for the toxic industrial chemicals hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulfide, and chlorine. Polymeric materials formulated as colorimetric sensors have been engineered into miniature waveguide channels. The channels have dimensions 30x0.6x0.05 mm (LxWxH) and are patterned on glass substrates using a photolithography process. Subsequent light coupling was achieved using optical fibers. Enhanced sensitivity is observed owing to the increased path length as described by the Beer-Lambert law. When the individual sensors are challenged with the IDLH concentrations of their target gases they react instantaneously with response times (T90) less than 20 seconds. When tested simultaneously as an array, a predictable level of cross interference was observed. The cross interference indicates that the inclusion of a signal processing algorithm is required to selectively resolve the analytes and reduce or eliminate false alarms.