Standardisation of luminescence life-time decay measurement for thermal mapping

传感器涂层系统有限公司（SCS）开发了一种创新的温度测量技术，用于苛刻的工业应用。该技术是基于一种特殊材料的发光特性，该材料也是由SCS开发的。这种材料作为涂料或涂层涂在待测部件表面，分别称为热历史涂料（THP）或热历史涂层（THC）。然后，涂层组件在暴露于高温的标准操作条件下使用。通过测量组件的发光特性并执行复杂的校准方法，可以计算组件过去的最高温度。温度测量背后的原理是，当THP或THC材料暴露在高温下时，其结构特性会永久改变。这些结构变化与材料在适当波长的激发源照射下发出的发光信号的寿命衰减（LTD）有关。然后使用SCS开发的定制读出系统测量LTD信号，然后根据温度进行校准。读出装置由准直光学、光电探测器、数据采集系统和内部开发的用于记录和分析记录信号的软件组成。许多这样的读出设备已经建立使用相同的模块化方法，但已经发现，相同的设备有时会产生不同的结果。最近的工作重点是使所有测量设备完全均质化，并朝着SCS技术的标准化迈出了一步。该项目的目的是检讨现有的SCS测量和信号处理系统，并开发一种标准校准装置，可用于均匀化所有测量设备。我们还旨在以定量的方式识别和充分表征测量参数，以提高鲁棒性并减少测量的不确定性。与拥有训练有素的人员和先进设施（如国家物理实验室）的领先测量机构密切合作，将对SCS大有裨益，因为它将引入最佳的测量标准和实践。这个项目将是SCS调整其测量和分析方法的一个很好的机会，并进一步发展他们的技术，以获得完全认证和商业化的产品。”

"Sensor Coating Systems Ltd (SCS) has developed an innovative temperature measurement technology for harsh industrial applications. The technology is based on the luminescence properties of a special material that has been also developed by SCS. This material is applied as a paint or a coating on the surface of the parts to be measured and it is called Thermal History Paint (THP) or Thermal History Coating (THC) respectively. The coated components are then used in standard operation conditions where they exposed to high temperatures. By measuring the luminescence properties of the components and performing a sophisticated calibration method, the past maximum temperature of the component can be calculated.The principle behind the temperature measurement is that when the THP or THC material is exposed to high temperatures, its structural properties are permanently changed. These structural changes are correlated with the lifetime decay (LTD) of the luminescent signal that is emitted by the material when it is illuminated by an excitation source of appropriate wavelength. The LTD signal is then measured using a custom-made readout system developed by SCS before it is calibrated against temperature. The readout device consists of collimation optics, a photodetector, a data acquisition system and in-house developed software that is used to record and analyse the recorded signals. A number of these readout devices have been built using the same modular approach, but it has been found that identical devices are sometimes produce different results.Recent efforts have been focused on fully homogenise all the measurement devices and make steps towards the standardisation of the SCS technology. The objective of this project is to review the existing SCS measuring and signal processing system and develop a standard calibration device that could be used to homogenise all measurement devices. We are also aiming to identify and fully characterise measurement parameters in a quantitative way in order to improve the robustness and reduce the uncertainty of the measurement. Working closely with a leading measurement organisation with highly trained stuff and cutting-edge facilities such as NPL, will be greatly beneficial for SCS, as it will be introduced to the best measurement standards and practices. This project will be a great opportunity for SCS to fine-tune its measurement and analysis approach and further develop their technology towards a fully certified and commercial product."