Applications of infrared fibers in temperature sensing

As attenuation in silica based fibers approaches its ultimate theoretical limit, investigation is in progress to develop new materials which exhibit lower losses than silica. These bulk materials could then be used to fabricate ultralow loss optical fibers which operate farther out in the infrared than do silica fibers. Such infrared fibers could be used in long, repeaterless telecommunications links, the transmission of CO and CO₂ laser power, and in several sensing mechanisms. This thesis presents an overview of these new fibers and how they can be applied in noncontact temperature measurement. Fiber optic temperature sensing is thus reviewed, and an optical fiber pyrometer is discussed.