The analyzer measures the quenched fluorescence of an oxygen-sensitive ruthenium complex, which is embedded in a porous sol-gel or silicone matrix. The fluorescence lifetime is related to the oxygen concentration via the Stern-Volmer equations.

The result is an extremely sensitive and specific fibre-optic oxygen sensor that is applicable to gas phase analysis as well as the measurement of dissolved oxygen in aqueous systems. Applications range from gas phase ppm oxygen measurements in hydrocarbon, nitrogen and product streams to ppb measurements in aqueous phase to percent or ppm saturated levels in either, respectively.