Optical-fiber diameter determination by scattering at oblique incidence

Area of Science:

• Optics
• Materials Science
• Metrology

Background:

• Accurate measurement of optical fiber dimensions is crucial for performance.
• Existing methods may be destructive or limited in application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a new, non-destructive method for determining the outer diameter of optical fibers.
• To provide a technique applicable to various fiber types, including those with complex cores.

Main Methods:

• Utilizes laser light scattering from the optical fiber.
• Employs oblique incidence illumination.
• Analyzes interference maxima in the scattered light pattern.

Main Results:

• Successfully determines the outer diameter of optical fibers non-destructively.
• The technique is easy to implement and requires minimal specialized equipment.
• Demonstrated applicability to fibers with inhomogeneous and large cores.

Conclusions:

• The described laser scattering interference method offers a practical and versatile approach for optical fiber diameter measurement.
• This technique overcomes limitations of previous methods, especially for specialized fiber types.