Optical thermometry through infrared excited upconversion fluorescence emission in Er(3+)- and Er(3+)-Yb(3+ )-doped chalcogenide glasses

Optical thermometry based upon infrared excited upconversion fluorescence emission in Er(3 )- and Er(3 )-Yb(3 )- doped Ga(2)S(3)-La(2)O(3) chalcogenide glasses excited at 1.54 and 1.06 mum, respectively, is presented. Temperature sensing in the region of 20 deg C-220 deg C with 0.3 deg C accuracy using excitation powers readily obtainable from commercially available semiconductor lasers was achieved. The temperature sensing approach is independent of fluctuations in excitation intensity and transmission and requires a simple and low-cost signal detection and processing system. The results also indicate that the glassy host material plays a major role in the performance of the sensing system