Fluorescence decay-time characteristics of erbium-doped optical fiber at elevated temperatures

An investigation of lifetime characteristics of fluorescence, over the wavelength region similar to 1.5 mu m from pumped Er-doped fibers of various activator concentrations, at temperatures up to similar to 950 degrees C, has been carried out and a significant variation of fluorescence lifetimes with temperature was seen. The results have an impact upon the use of laser or stimulated emission processes at much higher temperatures and for Lifetime-based, fiber-optic temperature sensors, showing a very favorable characteristic for such latter applications. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.