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Measuring cylindrically symmetric refractive-index profiles: a method
1University of Toronto, Department of Electrical Engineering, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A4, Canada.
Abstract:
This paper describes a new nondestructive method to measure cylindrically symmetric refractive-index profiles of transparent cylinders. The technique is based on the measurement of the axial displacement of rays that are refracted within the cylinder. Three different types of index profile were experimentally determined. Profile errors of better than one part in 10(3) were achieved using very modest equipment. The effects of certain experimental parameters on the profile accuracy are noted. The technique may be applied to the characterization of optical fiber preforms and graded-index rod lenses.
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