Development of an optical thermometry system for phosphor materials

This article focusses on the development of a basic system that can be used to investigate the emission of thermographic phosphors at various temperatures. In order to achieve this a standard photoluminescence system was utilised and modified. Modifications include a purpose-built heating unit, used to measure and control the phosphor material's temperature, a beam splitter together with a power meter to be used as a reference detector for the excitation source and a sample holder together with an XYZ stage that ensures position-stability and position-control for the samples throughout the measurements. A software program was developed to allow user-friendly control and automation of the modified system. The wavelength, excitation energy and temperature were calibrated as explained in this article. After this modifications and calibrations the system was used to study the emission of commercially available lanthanum oxysulphide doped with europium(III) phosphor material at different temperatures.