Refractive index temperature sensor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for measuring temperature comprising:
- means for guiding light having a first index of refraction n1 ; and
sensor material having first and second surfaces, a temperature dependent index of refraction n2, and a smoothly varying absorption characteristic to reduce reflections from said second surface, said first surface aligned with said light guiding means to form a dielectric interface therebetween whereby light incident to said interface is reflected therefrom with an intensity that varies with temperature.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An optical temperature sensor and method of manufacture therefor in which the intensity of light reflected from a first dielectric interface or from first and second dielectric interfaces, wherein one of the dielectrics has a temperature dependent index of refraction is measured. The intensity of light refleted from such dielectric interfaces will vary depending on the index of refraction which in turn is temperature dependent, thus providing a temperature dependent light signal.
56 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for measuring temperature comprising:
-
means for guiding light having a first index of refraction n1 ; and sensor material having first and second surfaces, a temperature dependent index of refraction n2, and a smoothly varying absorption characteristic to reduce reflections from said second surface, said first surface aligned with said light guiding means to form a dielectric interface therebetween whereby light incident to said interface is reflected therefrom with an intensity that varies with temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. In a temperature sensor, the combination comprising:
-
optical fiber means having a first index of refraction n1 for guiding light; semiconductor sensor material having a temperature dependent index of refraction n2, first and second surfaces, and a smoothly varying absorption characteristic between said first and second surfaces, said first surface aligned with said optical fiber means, to form a dielectric interface;
to provide reflectance power that raises with said index of refraction n2means for detecting intensity of light reflected from said interface to determine said reflectance power; and means coupled to receive said reflectance power for determing temperature. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
-
-
12. An apparatus for measuring temperature comprising:
-
means having a first index of refraction n1 for guiding light; sensor material means having a temperature dependent index of refraction n2, n2 having a value n2 '"'"' at a predetermined reference temperature, and first and second surfaces in substantially parallel alignment, said first surface being aligned with said light guiding means and forming a first interface therebetween for reflecting light incident thereon; and means for reflection having third and fourth surfaces, said third surface aligned with said second surface, thereby forming a second interface for reflecting light incident thereon, said light reflected from said first and second interfaces interfering in constructive an destructive relation to provide reflectance power that varies with tremperature; said first and second surfaces of said sensor material means having spacing therebetween to cause and reflectance power to vary with said refractive index n2 substantially linearly about said value n2. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. In a temperature sensor, the combination comprising:
-
optical fiber means for guiding light having a first index of refraction n1 ; semiconductor sensor material means having a temperature dependent index of refraction n2, n2 having a value n2 '"'"' at a predetermined temperature, and having first and second surfaces in substantially parallel alignment, said first surface being aligned with said optical fiber means and forming a first interface therebetween for reflecting light incident thereto; means having third and fourth surfaces, said third surface being aligned with said second surface to form a second interface for reflecting light incident thereon to provide reflectance power that varies with temperature; said first and second surfaces of said sensor material means having spacing therebetween such that said reflectance power varies with said refractive index substantially liearly about said value n2 '"'"'; and means for detecting intensity of said light reflected from said first and second interfaces. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
-
Specification