Selected Topics in Advanced Solid State and Fibre Optic Sensors

Abstract

This is a curious book. Whilst its title implies the coverage of a range of topics, the selection is diverse, to say the least, including as it does such varied and often rather obscure subjects as `Dielectrophoretic sensors for microbiological applications', `Amorphous semiconductor photoreceptors and x-ray image sensors' and `Thin film phthalocyanine gas sensors', together with more mainstream themes such as `Recent advances in measurement and instrumentation systems based on optical techniques'. The introduction aims to paint a picture of the overall sensor scene. Unfortunately, it is by far the weakest chapter, being poorly structured and containing too many misinterpretations, inexactitudes and plain errors to fulfil this role. Suffice to state that pH-responsive ISFETs are not `mechanical' sensors; most biosensors respond to chemical variables, not `biological inputs'; strain gauges are not used in automotive pressure sensors; and force is most definitely not the product of mass and velocity! The chapter concludes with a list of UK organizations involved with sensors, most of which no longer exist, and at least one of those that does is incorrectly named. The quality and scope of the subsequent chapters varies greatly, as is to be expected in a multiple author work, but they too are not error-free. For instance, fluorescence is wrongly described as a `light scattering' technique. However, most chapters do provide a reasonable review of the selected topics, although many of the references are somewhat dated. The chapter on the use of dielectrophoresis is informative, as is that on `Electrically conducting polymers for sensing volatile chemicals', but one wonders why a separate chapter is devoted to the closely related field of gas-responsive phthalocyanines. Overall I cannot recommend this book. Those seeking a review of recent developments in solid state and optical sensors would do far better to refer to the many existing texts on these subjects or to the proceedings of conferences such as `Eurosensors'. R W Bogue