There are different technologies available for measuring the oxygen level in different environments such as Zirconia (ZrO2), electrochemical (also known as galvanic), paramagnetic, and optical methods. More recently, for biological and medical applications, optical oxygen sensors have become very important.
Optical oxygen sensors are based on quenching of luminescence of dyes by oxygen. Typically, with the absorption of light at their absorption maxima, dye molecules exhibit long, exciting state lifetimes and emit radiation at longer wavelengths (fluorescence or phosphorescence). The excited state of luminescent dye can be quenched by an energy transfer mechanism upon collision with oxygen molecules. As a result, the intensity of luminescence is reduced along with the lifetime and the degree of quenching is proportional to the oxygen concentration. These sensors are a more efficient alternative to the conventional electrodes due to their fast response and minimal reactivity with the analyte (no consumption of O2).
Our fiber optic oxygen sensors are used for the analysis of dissolved and gaseous oxygen pressure. Thekey to FMI's highly stable oxygen sensor is a proprietary nanoporous glass/ceramic thin film coating that is used as a host matrix for sensing fluorophore elements.
FMI sensors are an excellent alternative to traditional electrodes and commercially available quenched luminescence-based optical sensors. We provide a variety of forms, shapes, and sizes – depending on your application.
