This interesting book covers latest aspects of a highly sophisticated technology; results treated in critical detail; demonstrates applicability of this technology to practical problems in process control, biochip methods, clinical analysis, environmental sciences

Of all things natural, light is the most sublime. From the very existential belief of the origins of the universe to its role in the evolution of life on earth, light has been inextricably woven into every aspect of our lives. I am grateful to Springer-Verlag and Thomas Scheper for this invitation to organize this volume that continues to expand the use of light to create next generation sensing applications. Indeed, the very act of expanding the frontiers of learning and knowledge are referred to in many languages and cultures as enlightenment. Early optical instruments relied largely on simple combinations of mirrors, prisms and lenses. With these simple devices, substantial progress was made in our understanding of the properties of light and of its interactions with matter. Things got more complicated with the evolution of optical instruments in labo- tory use. Early systems used bulky and expensive hardware to generate light, split it into the desired wavelengths and finally collect it for analysis. The discovery of the laser pushed the technology further, but did not do much to make its adoption more widespread as the lasers themselves were large and required substantial el- trical power to operate. The true revolution is just beginning. Advances in mic- electronics have resulted in the possibility of truly low-cost (using the consumer electronics industry as a parallel) devices that exploit optical measurement technology.

For the first time, distinguished scientists from key institutions worldwide provide a comprehensive approach to optical sensing techniques employing the phenomenon of guided wave propagation for chemical and biosensors. This includes both state-of the-art fundamentals and innovative applications of these techniques. The authors present a deep analysis of their particular subjects in a way to address the needs of novice researchers such as graduate students and post-doctoral scholars as well as of established researchers seeking new avenues. Researchers and practitioners who need a solid foundation or reference will find this work invaluable. This second of two volumes covers the incorporation of periodic structures in waveguides to exploit the Bragg phenomenon, optical fiber sensors, hollow waveguides and micro-resonators as well as a review of the tremendous expansion of terahertz technology for sensing applications.

Optoelectronic sensors combine optical and electronic systems for numerous applications including pressure sensors, security systems, atmospheric particle measurement, close tolerance measurement, quality control, and more. This title provides an examination of the latest research in photonics and electronics in the areas of sensors.

For the first time, distinguished scientists from key institutions worldwide provide a comprehensive approach to optical sensing techniques employing the phenomenon of guided wave propagation for chemical and biosensors. This includes both state-of the-art fundamentals and innovative applications of these techniques. The authors present a deep analysis of their particular subjects in a way to address the needs of novice researchers such as graduate students and post-doctoral scholars as well as of established researchers seeking new avenues. Researchers and practitioners who need a solid foundation or reference will find this work invaluable. This first of two volumes contains eight chapters covering planar waveguides for sensing, as well as sensing techniques based on plasmonic waveguides.

"Preface -- Part I: Optoelectronic Sensors Technologies -- 1. Fiber and Integrated Optics Sensors: Fundamentals and Applications G. C. Righini, A. G. Mignani, I. Cacciari and M. Brenci -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Fiber and Integrated Optics: Fundamentals of Waveguiding -- 3. Waveguide Sensors: Basic Working Principle -- 4. Fiber Optic Sensors -- 5. Long-Period Optical Fiber Grating Sensors -- 6. Micro-structured Fiber Sensors -- 7. Integrated Optic Sensors -- 8. Conclusions -- References -- 2. Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors: Industrial Applications C. Ambrosino, A. Iadicicco, S. Campopiano, A. Cutolo, M. Giordano and A. Cusano -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Fiber Bragg Gratings History -- 3. Fiber Bragg Gratings as Sensors -- 4. Civil Applications -- 5. Aerospace Applications -- 6. Energy Applications -- 7. Oil and Gas Applications -- 8. Transport Applications -- 9. Underwater Applications -- 10. Perspective and Challenges -- References -- 3. Distributed Optical Fiber Sensors R. Bernini, A. Minardo and L. Zeni -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Linear Backscattering Systems -- 3. Non-Linear Backscattering Systems -- 4. Non-Linear Forward-Scattering Systems -- 5. Conclusions -- References -- 4. Lightwave Technologies for Interrogation Systems of Fiber Bragg Gratings Sensors D. Donisi, R. Beccherelli and A. d'Alessandro -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Operating Principle of the Fiber Bragg Grating Sensor -- 3. FBG Interrogation Techniques -- 4. An Integrated Tunable Filter using Composite Holographic Grating -- 5. POLICRYPS Filterbased FBG Sensors Interrogation -- 6. Conclusions -- Acknowledgments -- References -- 5. Surface Plasmon Resonance: Applications in Sensors and Biosensors R. Rella and M. G. Manera -- 1. Introduction -- 2. SPR Theory -- 3. Optical Sensors based on Surface Plasmon Resonance -- 4. Application of SPR in Chemical Sensors and Biosensors -- 5. SPR Instrumentation: From Traditional SPR Instrument to SPR Imaging -- 6. Future Capabilities -- References -- 6. Microresonators for Sensing Applications S. Berneschi, G. Nunzi Conti, S. Pelli and S. Soria -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Whispering Gallery Modes in a Microsphere -- 3. WGM Resonators: Applications in Sensing -- Acknowledgments -- References -- 7. Photonic Crystals: Towards a Novel Generation of Integrated Optical Devices for Chemical and Biological Detection A. Ricciardi, C. Ciminelli, M. Pisco, S. Campopiano, C. E. Campanella, E. Scivittaro, M. N. Armenise, A. Cutolo and A. Cusano -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Photonic Crystals 190; Fundamental Principles -- 3. Functional Photonic Band Gap Components and Devices -- 4. Photonic Crystals for Chemical and Biological Sensing -- 5. Photonic Crystal Fibers Sensors -- 6. Perspectives and Challenges -- References -- 8. Micromachining Technologies for Sensor Applications P. M. Sarro, A. Irace and P. J. French -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Bulk Micromachining -- 3. Surface Micromachining -- 4. Characterization of Thin Film Membranes -- 5. Conclusions and Outlook -- References -- 9. Spectroscopic Techniques for Sensors S. Pelli, A. Chiasera, M. Ferrari and G. C. Righini -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Absorption, Reflectance and Transmission Measurements -- 3. Luminescence Measurements -- 4. Raman and Brillouin Measurements -- 5. Conclusions -- References -- 10. Laser Doppler Vibrometry P. Castellini, G. M. Revel". -- OCLC.

The field of plasmonics has shown extraordinary capabilities in realizing highly sensitive and accurate sensors for environmental monitoring and measurement of biological analytes. The inherent potential of such devices has led to growing interest worldwide in commercial fiber optic chemical and biosensors. Optical Sensors for Biomedical Diagnostics and Environmental Monitoring is an essential resource for students, established researchers, and industry developers in need of a reference work on both the fundamentals and latest advances in optical fiber sensor technology in biomedical diagnostics and environmental monitoring. The book includes rigorous theory and experimental techniques of surface plasmon and lossy mode resonances, as well as real-time sensing applications of resonance techniques implemented over optical fiber substrate using bulk layer and/or nanostructures as transducer and sensing layers. In addition, discussion of various design options for real-time sensors in environmental monitoring and biomedical diagnostics make the book approachable to readers from multidisciplinary fields.

Traditional biological sensors, based on enzymatic receptors and potentiometric or amperometric transducers are well reviewed and are nowadays even included extensively in many textbooks. The editors of this volume, the 2nd in the new Springer Series on Chemical and Biosensors, have focussed exclusively on alternative types of chemical and biological sensors or sensor-like structures. Special attention is given to sensor principles based on the use of linear or non-linear impedance spectroscopy. After self-assembled monolayers have become a viable technology for the immobilization of organic molecules on electrodes and for the formation of covalently stabilized receptor layers and even more sophisticated organic nano- and microstructures, this has led to the development of numerous analytical applications of impedometric sensor methods. These new and very promising types of sensors, their technology and performance in real world applications form the main topic of this book written by leading experts from around the world.