Method and apparatus for measuring the temperature profile of a surface
AssigneeAmerican Telephone and Telegraph Company, AT&T Bell Laboratories
InventorPaul R. Kolodner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for measuring the temperature profile of a surface exhibiting spatial and/or temporal variations in temperature, e.g., the surface of a machine or of a biological system, is disclosed. The inventive method involves forming a layer of fluorescent material, less than about 10 .mu.m in thickness, in thermal contact with the surface. The fluorescent material is subjected to fluorescence-inducing energy, and the resulting fluorescence, which varies as the temperature of the surface varies, is detected.
Claims24
A method for measuring a temperature profile of a surface exhibiting spatial and/or temporal variations in temperature, comprising the steps of:
- forming a layer, including fluorescent material, in thermal contact with said surface, the fluorescence of said material varying as the temperature of said surface varies;
- subjecting said material to fluorescence-inducing energy;
- and detecting the resulting fluorescence of said material, characterized in that
- said fluorescent material is essentially free of inorganic material.
An apparatus for measuring a temperature profile of a surface exhibiting spatial and/or temporal variations in temperature, comprising:
- a layer, including fluorescent material, capable of being positioned in thermal contact with said surface, the fluorescence of said material varying as the temperature of said surface varies;
- means for inducing said fluorescent material to fluoresce;
- and
- means for detecting the resulting fluorescence, characterized in that
- said fluorescent material is essentially free of inorganic material.
A method for measuring a temperature profile of a surface exhibiting spatial and/or temporal variations in temperature, comprising the steps of:
- forming a layer, including fluorescent material, in thermal contact with said surface, the fluorescence of said material varying as the temperature of said surface varies;
- subjecting said material to fluorescence-inducing energy;
- and
- detecting the resulting fluorescence of said material, characterized in that
- said forming step includes the steps of spin-depositing said layer onto a substrate, and positioning the resulting layer-covered substrate in thermal contact with said surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.