Influence of high temperatures on a fiber-optic probe for temperature measurement

The use of optical fiber in a temperature probe or sensor for optical pyrometry in the 100-1000 °C range is affected by the low thermal stability of classical fibers. We have studied the different sources of perturbations induced by exposure to high temperature. Two specific fibers especially suited for a high-temperature environment were tested and compared. Low (100 °C/min) and very fast (100 °C/s) fiber heating was performed to evaluate its influence on the guided flux and the induced error on temperature measurement. The metallic-coated fiber shows a reproducible temperature error that can be predicted. This important result permits the development of an uncooled fiber probe for temperature monitoring in high-temperature environments such as aerospace engines.