In the modern measurement technology of biological processes, optical methods to determine concentration are indispensable. These methods are suitable for fast on-line analysis and continuous measurement. To make qualitative and quantitative material analyses, ATR (attenuated total reflection) or evanescent spectroscopy can be used. In this paper, a new way to calculate the evanescent absorption when fibre-optics elements are used is discussed. The theoretical context is verified by experimental investigations about evanescent absorption on quartz rods in the visual spectral range. A sensor for IR measurements is described. The evanescent spectra of CO2 and fermented milk are represented.