PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION INTO THE ANALYTICAL POTENTIAL OF A MULTIWAVELENGTH FIBER DROP ANALYZER WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO APPLICATIONS IN MEDICAL DIAGNOSTICS

A preliminary investigation into the use of multiwavelength fiber drop analyzer (FDA) for the measurement of viscosity, spectral absorbance, and refractive index is made with a view to obtaining conservative es timates of the instrumental capability of the FDA for these measurands . Some important new insights into drop vibrations are made from studi es on the fiber drop traces (FDTs) of mechanically excited damped vibr ations in drops with a set volume. A brief description of the feasibil ity measurements on the first application of the FDA in the diagnosis of disease in synovial fluid is given. Strong experimental evidence is reported for the existence of the surface-guided wave (SGW) peak of t he fiber drop trace and some new insights into the nature of the FDT a re suggested based on a comparative study of the FDTs from a multiple- wavelength and a single-wavelength FDA. The earlier reported drop peri od dependence on applied electric field is critically reexamined, a ne w interpretation of this effect is suggested, and an experimental stud y of clarification is given. Finally, a brief review of the projected capabilities of the FDA based on the work reported here is provided.