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

Optical thermometry based upon infrared excited upconversion fluorescence emission in Er/sup 3+/- and Er/sup 3+/-Yb/sup 3+/- doped Ga/sub 2/S/sub 3/-La/sub 2/O/sub 3/ chalcogenide glasses excited at 1.54 and 1.06 /spl mu/m, respectively, is presented. Temperature sensing in the region of 20/spl deg/C-220/spl deg/C with 0.3/spl 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.