Calibration of fiber geometry system for the measurement of large diameter optical fibers

The project is essentially divided into three parts, each of which contribute to the provision of traceability for Arden Photonics Fibre Geometry instrumentation leading to increased sales through greater market confidence in the products.

1) Investigate the existing NPL primary measuring instrument for characterizing fibre cladding mean diameter in order to extend the operating range to 400 micron cladding diameter and improve NPL's measurement service capability in response to developments within the fibre communications and photonics industry. Assess different camera performances using alterations to the optical system to determine magnification and scaling factors. Initialise the process to determine the best measurement uncertainty.

2) Build and supply a traceable calibrated 400 micron cladding diameter reference artefact within a protective retractable holder to Arden Photonics. This includes liaison with Arden regarding the cleaving process and the NPL dimensional group for traceable contact metrology.

3) Carry out measurements on the Arden FGC instrument with 400 micron cladding diameter artefacts using traceable artefacts and produce a report on the FGC performance at this range. This report will help Arden to better understand the uncertainties of its instrument at larger diameters.