Heat propagation in differential thermal analysis system using fiber-optics technology

A very highly sensitive differential thermal analysis system is constructed by using optical-fiber sensor technology. Measurement of small temperature differences is reliably performed by detecting the phase differences with interference light and using a thermally symmetric configuration. In particular, temperature response analysis under heat propagation delay conditions, which should be considered when heat inputs are small and rapid, is made. The high sensitivity for temperature differences of an optical fiber thermometer is also experimentally demonstrated. Temperature responses for continuous and pulsed heat inputs are formulated and used to analyze experimental results on this small differential thermal analysis system under various conditions