An effective attenuation coefficient for evanescent wave spectroscopy using multimode fiber

An attenuation coefficient for evanescent wave spectroscopy on the core of a multimode step index fiber in contact with an absorbing species is derived in terms of the range of incident angles of the meridional rays to the interface. An expression, for the fractional power outside the core as a function of incident angles is also given. Their ratio is discussed for the case of a fiber sensor having a porous cladding in contact with a gaseous absorbing species and one in which a section of cladding has been removed and replaced by an absorbing liquid.