Effect of strain on temperature measurements using the fluorescence intensity ratio technique (with Nd3+- and Yb3+-doped silica fibers)

The effect of strain upon the fluorescence intensity ratio technique of opt ical fiber based temperature sensing has been investigated using a series o f different Yb3+- and Nd3+-doped optical fibers. Measurements were conducte d with each of the doped fibers for temperatures between approximately 10 a nd 140 degreesC and for strain values between 50 and 2100 mu epsilon. Resul ts suggest that the strain-temperature cross sensitivity for the fluorescen ce intensity ratio method is minimal, with an applied strain of 1000 mu eps ilon inducing temperature errors of less than 0.4 degreesC. (C) 2001 Americ an Institute of Physics.