Errors in the method of line-reversal

Abstract

It is shown that with a favourable experimental design the random error in the temperature measurement of hot gases with the method of line-reversal is of the order of 1 deg. K at about 2500°K. A number of Systematic errors, each of the order of 10 deg.K, are considered. Some applications of the method are discussed quantitatively and a procedure is indicated for the reversal measurement of gas temperature which are higher than the brightness temperature of the available background light source.