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Mayra Juarez, an excellent
undergraduate technician, is operating the Proof tester. Norally
optical fiber is subjected to a high stress for a short time in order
to assure a minimum strength. This machine is a continuous proof
tester that performs this operation. A standard proof stress for
telecommunications is approximately 0.7 GPa (100 kpsi). |
| This is one of our
automated tensile testers. This equipment servo controls the loading
rate to give a constant and precisely controlled strain or stress rate
and so avoids problems associated with slip or compliance of the
gripping system. While tensile testing is normally performed in
air, the set up shown here is arranged so the fiber can be tested while
immersed in a temperature controlled water bath. |
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Mayra is measuring the
dynamic fatigue using a 2-point bend system. This system is capable of
testing both coated and bare fibers. Instead of pulling the
fiber, this piece of equipment bends the fiber until it breaks. The
advantages of this tester are that this equipment is small enough to be
contained in the environmental controlled box, it can be immersed in
fluids, and only needs approximately 2 inches of fiber, and up to 30
fibers can be tested simultaneously. |
| This is a picture of Janet
Mrotek (formerly Janet Armstrong), a former member of our group,
working with a 2-point bend system in a temperature/humidity controlled
glove box. A very dry testing condition can be reached in this glove
box (RH% < 5%). |
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