JPS63234138A - Sensor applying light - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To permit detection of gaseous molecules of multiple components with good accuracy by disposing plural kinds of org. materials which are changed in light absorption spectrum by adsorption and desorption of molecules in the shape of a matrix on a transparent substrate and converting the change in the color tones of the org. material by the adsorption of the molecules to the pattern images of the matrix, thereby discriminating the adsorbed molecules. CONSTITUTION:The sensor applying light is obtd. by depositing 16 kinds of betaine or cyanine type functional dyes on a glass substrate and further disposing these functional dye films 2 in the shape of the matrix on the transparent substrate 1. A change in respectively different colors takes place according to the kinds of gases and functional dyes when the dye films 2 disposed in the matrix are rested in an atmosphere contg. a specific gas such as ethyl alcohol. The pattern of the dye parts is previously stored into a memory circuit or observer's brain by noticing only the dye parts where the degree of such changes is large. The gaseous molecules are recognized by corresponding this patterns shape and the specific gas.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Industrial Application Field The present invention relates to an optical sensor that uses light to detect gaseous components in the atmosphere.

<Conventional technology> Conventionally, methods for detecting gases in the atmosphere using light include (1) a method that utilizes the absorption of light by the gas itself;
(2) A method using a substance whose basic physical properties change by adsorbing gas and an optical fiber is known.

(1) A method that utilizes the absorption of light by the gas itself is as follows:
2. Description of the Related Art There is a known sensor that detects carbon dioxide concentration by measuring the absorbance of light from a light source using the fact that carbon dioxide gas absorbs light with a wavelength of 4.3 μm. (2) As a method using an optical fiber, a hydrogen sensor is known in which the cladding portion of the optical fiber is removed and tungsten oxide and palladium are directly coated on the core. Hydrogen is detected by utilizing the change in epanescent light leaking from the core as tungsten oxide adsorbs hydrogen.

<The crossroads that the invention seeks to solve> In conventional gas component sensors that use light, the method of using absorption of the gas itself is limited to cases in which the gas to be detected is specific; Since it uses gas light absorption, it has the disadvantage of low sensitivity. Furthermore, since tungsten oxide and palladium are laminated only on a portion of the core of the optical fiber, it also has the disadvantage of low sensitivity.

Means for Solving Problems〉 The present invention was developed as a result of extensive research to improve the sensitivity of gas component sensors that utilize light and to expand the range of detection targets. Focusing on the fact that functional dyes change color when they adsorb gases, we attempt to detect gaseous components using these functional dye films. By utilizing the gas adsorption phenomenon, the gas to be detected is concentrated in the functional dye, resulting in higher sensitivity than methods based on absorption of the gas itself. In addition, in functional dyes such as betaine type or cyanine type, the molecular structure is the electron accepting part (4) and the electron donating part (■)
The color of the dye changes when the π-electron system of the functional dye is polarized, and the degree of polarization varies depending on the hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity, etc. of the adsorbed molecules. The color of the functional dye changes depending on the characteristics of the gas molecules.

The present invention attempts to accurately detect multi-component gas molecules by arranging multiple types of functional dyes with different properties in a matrix on the same substrate and measuring the color change of each functional dye as a change in image pattern. It is.

<Function> The present invention comprises a matrix film of various functional dyes or a matrix film of various functional dyes, and a filter that transmits only light having the maximum absorption wavelength of each functional dye in front of or behind the various functional dyes. The structure includes a matrix membrane. In the case of IJ wax film, the color change of the matrix film due to adsorption and desorption of gas is recognized visually or by image processing, and the adsorbed gas is identified. On the other hand, when the film is composed of an IJ wax film of various functional dyes or a matrix film of various filters, changes in the amount of light due to gas absorption and desorption can be recognized visually or through image processing, and the adsorbed gas can be detected. In such optical sensors, sunlight can be used as a light source, and when the sun is not present, a white light source is used.

<Example 1> FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an optical sensor used for detailed explanation of the present invention. Sixteen types of betaine-type or cyanine-type functional dyes were deposited on a glass substrate, and these functional dye films 2 were further arranged in a matrix on a transparent substrate 1 to produce an optical sensor. This matrix-arranged functional pigment film 2 is
When left in an atmosphere containing a specific gas such as ethyl alcohol, acetone, or ammonia, different color changes occur depending on the gas species and the functional pigment film.

Focusing only on the pigment parts that have a high degree of activation, the patterns of these pigment parts are stored in a memory circuit or in the observer's mind, and the gas molecules are recognized by correlating this pattern shape with a specific gas. It was confirmed that the pattern shapes were different depending on the gas species such as ethyl alcohol, acetate, and ammonia, and it was found that even in a mixture of multiple components, the individual components could be recognized.

<Example 2> Sixteen kinds of betaine type and cyanine type functional dyes were vapor-deposited on a glass substrate, and these functional dye films 2 were further arranged in a matrix on a transparent substrate 1 to produce a photonic senna. Further, behind these dye films, a film in which optical filters that transmit only the maximum absorption wavelength of each dye are arranged in a matrix is installed as shown in FIG. In this way, when a film with a functional dye and an optical filter placed on an IJ hook is left in an atmosphere containing a specific gas such as ethyl alcohol, acetone, or ammonia, the gas species and the functional dye film will cause the light to emit light. A change in light intensity occurs.

Focusing only on the dye parts where the amount of light changes significantly, patterns of these dye parts are memorized, and gas molecules are recognized by correlating the shape of this pattern with a specific gas. It was confirmed that the pattern shapes were different depending on the gas species, such as ethyl alcohol, acetone, and ammonia, and it was found that even in a gas mixture containing multiple components, the individual components could be recognized.

<Effects of the Invention> The present invention uses light to detect gaseous components in the atmosphere, and because it uses light, it is possible to create a sensor that has excellent explosion-proof properties and is resistant to electromagnetic induction. Furthermore, since the element structure is simple, the element can be manufactured easily and at low cost.

Furthermore, since this device detects gas components as pattern images using various types of functional dye films, it is possible to instantly and accurately recognize gas components in a mixed gas.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 are diagrams showing embodiments of the present invention. 1: Transparent substrate 2: Various functional dyes 3: Optical filter matrix film Agent: Patent attorney: Tsuyoshi Sugi Yama (1 other person) Recommended figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of types of organic substances whose light absorption spectra change due to adsorption/desorption of molecules are arranged in a matrix on a transparent substrate, and the change in color tone of each of the organic substances due to adsorption of molecules is reflected in the pattern of the matrix. An optical sensor that identifies adsorbed molecules by converting them into images. 2. The optical sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a filter that transmits only the maximum absorption wavelength of each organic substance on the front or back side of each organic substance arranged in the matrix. 3. Claim 1, wherein the organic substance is composed of at least one of betaine type and cyanine type pigments.
Optical application sensor described in section.