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 optical fiber based temperature sensing has been investigated using a series of different Yb3+- and Nd3+-doped optical fibers. Measurements were conducted with each of the doped fibers for temperatures between approximately 10 and 140 degreesC and for strain values between 50 and 2100 mu epsilon. Results suggest that the strain-temperature cross sensitivity for the fluorescence intensity ratio method is minimal, with an applied strain of 1000 mu epsilon inducing temperature errors of less than 0.4 degreesC. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.