초록 ▼

A transducer for the measurement of temperature incorporates a fiber optic coupler having a coupling efficiency which varies in relation to the index of refraction of a thin layer of index matching liquid, such as index matching oil, placed between the optical fibers of the coupler. Since the index

A transducer for the measurement of temperature incorporates a fiber optic coupler having a coupling efficiency which varies in relation to the index of refraction of a thin layer of index matching liquid, such as index matching oil, placed between the optical fibers of the coupler. Since the index of refraction of the liquid varies predictably with temperature, the coupling efficiency of the transducer may be used to directly measure the temperature of the coupler and its surroundings.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of measuring temperature, comprising: removing a portion of the cladding from the side of each of first and second single mode optical fibers to provide a coupling surface on each fiber; mounting said first and second optical fibers to form an evanescent fiber optic coupler by positioning s

A method of measuring temperature, comprising: removing a portion of the cladding from the side of each of first and second single mode optical fibers to provide a coupling surface on each fiber; mounting said first and second optical fibers to form an evanescent fiber optic coupler by positioning said first and second fibers side-by-side and juxtaposing said coupling surfaces; selecting a temperature responsive material having an index of refraction which changes relative to the claddings of said fibers in response to temperature changes over the range of temperatures for which measurement of temperature is desired, to provide a coupling between said first and second fibers, said coupling changing with temperature said fibers being single mode throughout said range of temperatures; interposing said temperature responsive material between said coupling surfaces of said optical fibers; and measuring the coupling efficiency of said evanescent fiber optic coupler to determine said temperature.