Infrared Fiber Optic Sensors For The Remote Detection Of Hydrocarbons Operating In The 3.3 To 3.36 Micron Region

A novel class of spectrochemical sensors for remote sensing of hydrocarbons is investigated. This class of sensors exploits the excellent near infrared transmission properties of commercial zirconium fluoride optical fibers that have only recently been available. Several different remote spectrochemical sensors are discussed which incorporate these IR transmitting fiber optics; they include a gas absorption cell, a photoacoustic cell, and an inexpensive FT-IR interface to a remote gas analysis cell. Design characteristics and experimental data on sensitivity and linearity are presented. Potential areas of application for the new class of sensors are also discussed.