Nanoscale thermometry via the fluorescence of YAG:Ce phosphor particles: measurements from 7 to 77 C

The laser-induced fluorescence lifetime of 30 nm particles of YAG:Ce was measured as a function of temperature from 7 to 77°C. The fluorescence decay lifetimes for the nanoparticles of this phosphor varied from ≈18 to 27 ns, i.e. ≈33% relative to the longest lifetime measured. This large variation in lifetime, coupled with the high signal strength that was observed, suggest that YAG:Ce nanoparticles will be useful thermographic phosphors. We describe the material and the apparatus used to characterize its fluorescence, present the results of measurements made over the range of temperatures tested and comment on some possible applications for this novel material.