Abstract: A device and method for measuring optical properties of a sample are provided. The device comprises a housing surrounding a flow-through flow-cell. The flow-cell has a sample inlet positioned proximate to a first end of the flow-cell and a sample outlet positioned proximate to a second end of the flow-cell. A sample chamber is positioned between the sample inlet and the sample outlet. A plurality of excitation sources are positioned on the housing in an operable relationship to the sample chamber. At least one excitation source has a wavelength that is different from the other excitation sources. Each excitation source is incident on a sample in the flow-cell. At least one fluorescence emission detector is positioned in an operable relationship to the flow-cell. The fluorescence emission detector detects a continuous broadband spectrum of emission wavelengths emitted from the sample upon excitation by each excitation source.

Abstract: The present invention is for a fiber optic flow cell. The flow cell comprises a substrate having at least one sample channel and at least one optical fiber channel holder. At least one optical fiber is disposed within each optical fiber channel holder. Each optical fiber has at least one grating wherein each grating is in contact with each sample channel, defining a sensing area. At least one sample port is positioned in an operable relationship to at least one sample channel. Alternatively, at least one sample outlet is positioned in an operable relationship to at least one sample channel. The flow cell may be of a modular design providing a flow cell kit that contains pieces that may be assembled to form custom-made flow cells. The flow cell is used for conducting measurement studies on a sample.