초록 ▼

A thermometry system utilizes the thermally sensitive time dependent emission properties of luminescent materials. In one embodiment the system includes a probe constructed with an optic fiber bundle for conducting light both toward and away from the temperature sensitive luminescent element located

A thermometry system utilizes the thermally sensitive time dependent emission properties of luminescent materials. In one embodiment the system includes a probe constructed with an optic fiber bundle for conducting light both toward and away from the temperature sensitive luminescent element located at one end of the optic fiber bundle, a source for transient and/or modulated excitation of the temperature sensitive element, and a light responsive detection element located at the output end of the optic fiber bundle for detecting the transient and/or modulated light emissions by the luminescent temperature sensitive element. The emission signal received by the light responsive detector can be analyzed in a well defined manner to determine the temperature of the luminescent element and of any materials in thermal equilibrium with the luminescent material. The temperature sensitive probe can be constructed of non-metallic materials, utilized physical phenomenon which are not affected by electromagnetic (EM) fields over a wide range of field strengths and frequencies and thus has application in special circumstances, eq. temperature measurement in biological materials while such tissue is being irradiated with microwaves.

대표청구항 ▼

A temperature probe comprising: an optical fiber bundle having at least one optical fiber; a temperature sensitive luminescent element having time dependent light emission properties having at least two different time emission components, said temperature sensitive element being attached at one end

A temperature probe comprising: an optical fiber bundle having at least one optical fiber; a temperature sensitive luminescent element having time dependent light emission properties having at least two different time emission components, said temperature sensitive element being attached at one end of said bundle and being adapted to be implanted in such material whose temperature is to be measured; light source located proximate the other end of said bundle, said light source having a given frequency spectrum for transient excitation of said temperature sensitive luminescent element; means proximate said other end for separating the light passed from said source toward said temperature sensitive element from that being emitted from said temperature sensitive element; and light responsive detection and analysis means located proximate said other end of said bundle, said light responsive detection means including means for detecting and analyzing said at least two different time emission components emitted by said temperature sensitive luminescent element as a function of the change in temperature of said temperature sensitive element.