Analysis of dopant concentration effects in praseodymium-based fluorescentfiber optic temperature sensors

An analysis of concentration effects in praseodymium-doped glasses used as the sensor element of several fiber optic temperature sensors has been perf ormed. Results show the dependence of a range of relevant parameters on con centration, and the determination of concentration-independent parameters u sed in the design of effective probe sensor elements with both doped and co -doped rare earth materials. Low concentrations of Pr3+, commensurate with an acceptable signal-to-noise ratio in the optical system, are preferable f or the design of the most effective optical fiber fluorescence sensors base d upon this species. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0034-6748(00 )02401-1].