CHARACTERIZATION OF LONG PATHLENGTH CAPILLARY WAVEGUIDES FOR EVANESCENT FLUORESCENCE APPLICATIONS

Author

Eric Paprocki, The University of MontanaFollow

Year of Award

2007

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Name

Chemistry

Department or School/College

Department of Chemistry

Committee Chair

Michael DeGrandpre

Keywords

capillary waveguide, fluorescence sensor, nitroaromatic

Abstract

The optical properties of a novel fused silica fiber-optic capillary waveguide (FOCap) for fluorescence spectroscopy were evaluated. Evanescent fluorescence from samples in the FOCap was measured by coupling the FOCap to a light source and a fluorescence spectrophotometer. The FOCap has negligible excitation light loss over long lengths (20 m or more) for a range of wavelengths. The evanescent fluorescence was linear up to at least 20 m for a solution in the core and up to at least 15 m for a fluorophore covalently attached to the inner surface. Evanescent fluorescence measurements in 50, 150, and 250 µm inner diameter FOCaps indicate that greater sensitivity is achieved with thinner-walled capillaries which have more internal reflections. FOCaps can be fined tuned for a desired sensitivity by manipulating their physical dimensions. The ability of the FOCap to function as an indirect chemical sensor for nitroaromatic compounds is demonstrated with a pyrene-labeled waveguide.

Recommended Citation

Paprocki, Eric, "CHARACTERIZATION OF LONG PATHLENGTH CAPILLARY WAVEGUIDES FOR EVANESCENT FLUORESCENCE APPLICATIONS" (2007). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 185.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/185