Radiation thermometry for low temperatures using an infrared hollow waveguide

Abstract

Various optical fibers were compared theoretically for application to remote radiation thermometry. The highest optical transmission efficiency is attained with a fluoride glass fiber for the temperature range of > 700°C, with a halide crystalline fiber for 120 to 700°C, and with a dielectric-coated metal hollow waveguide for < 120°C. To realize remote sensing of lower temperatures, i.e., from room temperature to ~300°C, a radiometric experiment was carried out using a Ge-coated Ag hollow waveguide. When ambient temperature changed from 22 to 50°C, a serious error arose in the measured temperature, which is attributed to the increase of thermal radiation from the heated waveguide. Since the effect of such noise radiation is inevitable in thermometry using infrared fibers, we propose a measurement method to compensate for the noise level. With the compensation, the effect of ambient temperature was reduced successfully and reliable thermometry was established.