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Title

Quantitative phase and refractive index analysis of optical fibres using differential interference contrast microscopy

Author(s)

Kouskousis, Betty;  Kitcher, Daniel J.;  Collins, Stephen;  Roberts, Ann;  Baxter, Greg W.

Abstract

A systematic and straightforward image processing method to extract quantitative phase and refractive index data from weak phase objects is presented, obtained using differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy. The method is demonstrated on DIC images of optical fibers where a directional integration routine is applied to the DIC images to extract phase and refractive index information using the data obtained across the whole DIC image. By applying the inverse Abel transform to the resultant phase images, an accurate refractive index profile is obtained. The method presented here is compared to the refracted near-field technique, typically used to obtain the refractive index profile of optical fibers, and shows excellent agreement. It is concluded that through careful image processing procedures, DIC microscopy can be successfully implemented to obtain quantitative phase and refractive index information of optical fibers.

Publication type

Journal article

Source

Applied Optics, Vol. 47, no. 28 (Sep 2008), pp. 5182-5189

Publication year

2008

Keyword(s)

Quantitative phase data;  Differential interference contrast (DIC);  Refractive index data;  Weak phase objects

Publisher

Optical Society of America

ISSN

0003-6935

Publisher URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/AO.47.005182

Copyright

Copyright © 2008 Optical Society of America. This paper was published in Applied Optics and is made available as an electronic reprint with the permission of OSA. The paper can be found at the following URL on the OSA website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/AO.47.005182. Systematic or multiple reproduction or distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means is prohibited and is subject to penalties under law.

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