Assessment of Fiber Optic Thermometers

Compared to the great diversity in proposed fiber optic sensor ideas, the types of fiber optic thermometers that are commercially available are actually quite few. Though several reports have been given by a major manufacture 68 69) reviewing various existing commercial systems, cross-comparisons between the performances of these systems are rarely made. 

Of course, if not accompanied by a full understanding of the working principles of these devices, the status of their development, and their potential, the results of this test would be misleading when deciding on the choice of the right type of sensor for further development. It has been shown by later development, as discussed, that the lifetime-based scheme is much to be favored in terms of performance and cost. This was the reason that a major manufacturer, Luxtron, substituted the lifetime-based thermometer for the early, intensity-based one in its commercial production/5  

The work has shown the diversity of fluorescence-based thermometry schemes, materials, signal processing arrangements, and applications. In addition, a close agreement with theoretical predictions on material performance gives confidence to the assessment of new materials for such uses. Probe sizes are potentially smaller and more convenient due to optical source and detector developments. Thus the future for fluorescence thermometry is bright, with the expectation of a range of new ideas in the field in the future. 

Johnston, Editorial of special issues on temperature, Measurement and Control 20, 5 (1987). 

Grattan and B. T. Meggitt, Fiber Optic Sensor Technology, Chapman and Hall, London, 

---