A novel technique for measuring temperature, based on pulsed photothermal radiometry and analysis of the spectral and temperature dependence of Planck’s blackbody equation, is described. In this technique a body is irradiated by a laser pulse and its temperature inferred from the time dependence of the emitted infrared signal curve. This technique was used for near ambient temperature measurements using aCO2laser, an infrared detector, and infrared transmitting silver halide optical fibers. The experimental results are consistent with theory. This technique is independent of changes in emissivity or geometric factors and it will be useful for accurate and fast noncontact temperature measurements. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.