Measurement of three-dimensional temperature fields with interferometric tomography

Optical computerized tomography (OCT) technology is used to reconstruct the asymmetric three-dimensional temperature field generated by radiators and electronic chips. First, the OCT method is described. Second, the reconstructed results are tested by a double-cylinder radiator model. Finally, OCT is applied to reconstruction of the temperature field above the surface of a CPU. The air-temperature field above a CPU circuit can be imaged with an OCT system that reflects whether the heat production from different parts of the CPU is even; therefore possibly the technique can be used to determine whether the integrated-circuit design in the CPU is smart. (C) 1999 Optical Society of America. OCIS codes: 040.1520, 050.2230, 100.6950, 110.6960, 120.3180, 200.1130.