Optical Fiber, Fiber Coating, and Connector Ferrule Geometry: Results ofInterlaboratory Measurement Comparisons

摘要

Interlaboratory measurement comparisons, dealing with geometrical parameters ofoptical fibers, fiber coatings, and fiber connector ferrules (including steel pin gages used to determine ferrule inside diameter), have been coordinated by National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The international fiber (glass) geometry comparison showed better agreement among participants, for all measured parameters, than in previous comparisons. Many participants' test set were calibrated for fiber cladding diameter measurements by means of calibration artifacts from NIST or other national standards laboratories; there was significantly better agreement among those participants than among participants whose test sets were not calibrated. NIST is developing ferrule, pin gage, and coating calibration artifacts.