title: Characterization of the minimum intrinsic optical time domain reflection signature from poly(methyl methacrylate) fiber splices.
abstract: Optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) measurements are performed to characterize the minimum reflection signature from poly(methyl methacrylate) plastic-fiber splices. The dominant splice reflection sources that are due to inexact index matching and fiber core misalignment are eliminated. A clearly detectable intrinsic OTDR reflection signature is observed with all tested fibers. The measured reflectivities vary from -53 to -27 dB. The characteristics of this signature are mapped out versus experimental variables such as fiber-surface roughness, fiber-surface preparation technique, indexmatching-fluid refractive index, and wavelength.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lawson
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Michael
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Harmony
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Finn