Temperature measurement with a zirconium fluoride glass fiber

Optical fibers for use in the IR region have recently been developed with various kinds of material: halide crystals; chalcogenide glasses; and fluoride glasses. Various uses of these fibers have been suggested (long-haul communication, power delivery of IR lasers, temperature measurement). Temperature measurement of objects in unfavorable conditions (engines, furnaces, nuclear reactors) or without disturbance (electromagnetic fields, touching of surfaces) is possible through measurement of thermal radiation. The authors recently evaluated the ability to measure low temperatures (60-150 degree C) with IR fiber optic transmission. This Letter reports the results obtained with a zirconium fluoride fiber.