| abstract |
A ratiometric method for using optical sensors (11) is provided to measure dissolved oxygen in a fluid sample. The sensor (11) is formulated so as to contain an oxygen permeable membrane (16) of a cured perfluorinated urethane polymer and, incorporated therein, an oxygen-sensitive indicator component and a reference dye component. The emission spectrum from the indicator component is calibrated by comparison with that of the reference dye, which is substantially less sensitive to oxygen-quenching and which has a photodecomposition rate similar to the indicator component. Methods for making and using the membrane and sensor (11) are provided as well. |