Fibre-optic oxygen sensor based on phosphorescence quenching.

A fibre-optic oxygen sensor is described which is based on an oxygen-sensitive luminescent film made from platinum octaethylporphyrin and polystyrene. The luminescence and quenching characteristics of such films were studied for their use in a fibre-optic oxygen biosensor. A prototype oxygen sensor was made from this material, and was tested in aqueous solutions and in the gaseous phase at physiological oxygen concentrations. Measurements of luminescence intensity and decay time were employed to determine oxygen concentration from luminescence quenching. The main working characteristics of this prototype oxygen sensor were studied.