PMMA optical fibers as intrinsic sensors of surface crystal growth

Abstract

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) optical fibers are evaluated for their potential as intrinsic sensors of surface crystal growth. Superior mechanical flexibility means they can be configured to maximize sensitivity, primarily via coiling to promote higher-order modes of radiation propagation in their core. The effects of coiling and exposing the fiber to elevated temperatures (greater than the glass transition temperature) are found to increase sensitivity of the PMMA fibers to surface crystallization while pre-bending is found to reduce sensitivity.