Measurements of Diameter, Refractive Index and Birefringence of Various Fibers by Laser-Beam Scattering

Abstract

It is difficult and troublesome to measure a diameter, a refractive index and a birefringence of a fiber having a thin diameter less than 5μm. To measure them accurately and automatically, an apparatus has been constructed in which the laser-beam scattering and interference methods were used. A main operation and calculation were so highly controlled by a computer that an operefor could measure each value without a spe cial skill. Calculation process, especially the process to determine the order of an interference were described in detail. The values of glass, nylon and polyester fibers having various diameter of 4-600μm were measured by this method. Each value measured agreed well with conventional methods.