Patent ID: 7566569

Claim:
A method for measuring the surface temperature of an object, said method comprising: a) providing at least one fluorescent compound capable of forming an excimer and 1-butyl-1-1-methyl pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl imide ionic liquid solvent, said at least one fluorescent compound capable of forming an excimer being dissolved within said imide ionic liquid solvent to provide a fluorescent solution adapted to convey a temperature dependent luminescent signal upon UV irradiation; b) containing said fluorescent solution in a container with at least one light transparent surface; c) placing said container in contact with the object to be temperature measured; d) irradiating said placed container with a UV light sufficient to generate at least two excited states that exist in equilibrium upon formation of an excimer within the fluorescent solution; and e) detecting the light signal generated by said fluorescent solution following irradiation by said ultraviolet light source.