title: Optical Fiber Geometry: Accurate Measurement of Cladding Diameter.
abstract: We have developed three instruments for accurate measurement of optieal fiber cladding diameter: a contact micrometer, a scanning confocal microscope, and a white-light interference microscope. Each instrument has an estimated uncertainty (3 standard deviations) of 50 nm or less, but the confocal microscope may display a 20 nm systematic error as well. The micrometer is used to generate Standard Reference Materials that are commercially available.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO 80303-3328.
authors.forename: Matt
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Young
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO 80303-3328.
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Hale
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO 80303-3328.
authors.forename: Steven E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Mechels
keywords: Standard Reference Material; critical dimensional measurements; gray scale measurement; interference microscope; micrometer; microscope; optical fiber; optical fiber geometry; scanning confocal microscope; video microscope