Mid-infrared fiberoptic sensors - Potential and perspectives

This review summarizes the potential and perspectives of mid-infrared optical sensing schemes with respect to the most promising fields of application and novel technological developments in this research area. Main attention is paid to sensors utilizing the principle of evanescent wave spectroscopy for the signal generation. With the availability of mid-infrared transparent fiberoptic materials, access to the mid-infrared spectral region from 2-20 mu m is enabled, which provides molecule-specific information for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Novel mid-infrared light sources, such as quantum cascade lasers, the introduction of microfabrication techniques for miniaturized, mid-infrared optical components and advanced recognition layers based on molecularly imprinted polymers will be discussed as well as the potential and application of mid-infrared sensors in biology/biochemistry, clinical analysis and environmental/process monitoring.