The recent developments in temperature sensor technology resulted in a great progress in the field, being dominated by contact type sensors. On the other side, noncontact type sensors research is focused on infrared sensors, including optical sensors, which are promising devices for industrial applications (oil refineries, mines, thermal and hydropower stations, etc). The project deals with nanostructured thin films based on PbS and PbSe quantum dots (QDs) embedded in a phosphatesilicate matrix with complex composition, prepared by solgel method and spin/dip coating technique. These materials are used as luminescencebased temperature noncontact sensors for NIR (Near Infrared) range. The main objectives of the project are:
i) technology validation for synthesis of optical materials based on IVVI QDsdoped phosphatesilicate thin films with temperaturedependent luminescence.
(ii) achieving a temperature sensing device that incorporates the synthesized materials.
High luminescence efficiency, based on quantum confinement effect, causes QDs to become useful low cost optical indicators for luminescence based sensing systems operating up to 400oC.