Embedded silver halide optical fiber temperature sensor

A new concept for embedded fiber optic temperature sensor is described. In this sensor the temperature is inferred by analyzing the infrared radiation, which is emitted from the tip of an infrared transmitting optical fiber. The sensor can be adjusted for ambient or high temperature measurements and has a spatial resolution approximately equal to the diameter of the optical fiber. The measurement is immune to changes that can occur along the embedded fiber. Inferring the temperature directly from thermal radiation makes this technique both more accurate and simple relative to other embedded fiber optic temperature sensors. A prototype sensor was constructed by embedding silver halide optical fibers in epoxy and the sensor was used to monitor the temperature of the epoxy. Preliminary results are described which prove the validity of the new technique. Such a sensor can be useful for temperature measurements of smart structures.