MODELING THE FLUORESCENT LIFETIME OF Y2O3-EU

Phosphor thermography, relying on the temperature dependence of the de cay time of photoluminescence from suitable phosphors, provides remote measurement of the temperature of components. Such a phosphor is yttr ium oxide doped with europium (Y2O3:Eu). Associated with this phosphor is also a rise time. Demonstrated is that the rise time is also tempe rature dependent, as a result of known electronic transitions within t he Eu ions. For the phosphor Y2O3:Eu (3.4 at. %), the rise time is an activated process in the temperature region between 25 and 850 degrees C. Faster than the decay time, the rise time offers the opportunity f or measurement of higher velocity components. (C) 1998 American Instit ute of Physics.