Growth and characteristics of Cr3+:YAG crystal fiber for fluorescence decay temperature sensor

YAG crystal fibers with end Cr3+ doped have been grown by the laser heated pedestal growth method as the temperature sensor probe using fluorescence decay. The crystal fibers show good optical properties and mechanical strength and offer advantages of compact construction, high performance, and ability to withstand high temperature. The fluorescence characteristics of the Cr3+:YAG crystal fiber probe with temperature were investigated from -20 to 500 degrees C. The experimental results indicate that Cr3+:YAG crystal fiber shows a monotonic relationship between the fluorescence lifetime and temperature over a wide temperature range. This fiber was found to be an excellent material to be used as fluorescence decay optical fiber temperature sensor. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.