Fiber optic polarimetric thermometer using low extinction ratio polarizer and low coherence source

We theoretically and experimentally investigated the influences of extinction ratio of the input polarizer, the coherence properties of the light source and sensing and lead fiber length for polarimetric temperature measurements. We show that there is a possibility to construct a relatively simple and inexpensive fiber optic polarimetric thermometer for absolute temperature measurements. By decomposing the interferometer into two ideal 'mutual incoherent' interferometers a low ER polarizer and a low coherent source can be used. An experimental temperature sensor for absolute temperature measurement working in the range from 20/spl deg/C to 60/spl deg/C has been produced.