AN OPTICAL-TEMPERATURE SENSOR USING SURFACE-PLASMONS

The principles of an optical temperature sensor, using surface plasmon generation in a material with a large temperature-dependent refractiv e index, are presented. The sensor design consists of surface plasmon generation in a thin (500 angstrom) silver film overlaid with hydrogen ated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H). A factor of three change in reflected light intensity, from a glass/Ag/a-Si:H interface, is obtained for a 40-degrees-C rise in temperature. The device is compatible with fibre optic technology for remote temperature sensing applications.