EN
The paper describes an original technique for non-contact in situ monitoring of the temperature developed for experiments in a vacuum environment at the tender X-ray beamline I23 of the Diamond Light Source. The sample temperature is established by determining the luminescence decay constant of a Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ (BGO) scintillation sensor. BGO is ideally suited for a temperature range of 30 K to 130 K, in which its decay constant shows a strong temperature dependence. The principle of the method, system design and application examples are discussed and the performance and potential of the technique is assessed.