Optical fiber chemical sensing networks

Many industrial processes or other phenomena of interest cannot be measured with conventional instruments because they are too hot, too cold, highly radioactive, or otherwise inaccessible to direct observation. Nuclear wastes stored in underground repositories, for example, will require in-situ monitoring. A new technology that uses long distance fiber optics to transmit laser-excited fluorescence now makes it possible to remotely monitor such installations via optical fiber cables at distances up to one kilometer. The applications include: Sampling of remote locations; Multipoint sampling with single instrument; Measurements in inaccessible locations; Coping with aggressive environments; Avoiding contamination; and Continuous monitoring