An interferometric method for determining the mean refractive indices of highly birefringent fibres

An interferometric method with its mathematical derivation is suggested to determine the mean refractive indices and birefringence of highly birefringent fibres using multiple-beam Fizeau fringes in transmission. The application of this method depends on measuring the cross-sectional area of the fibre and the area enclosed under the fringe shift. It is very difficult to measure the area enclosed under the fringe shift in case of highly birefringent fibres, as these fibres have a relatively large optical path difference and a bad connection with the surrounding medium fringe. This difficulty is solved using the suggested method. Poly(aryel ether ether ketone) (PEEK) and poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalene-dicarboxylate) (PEN) were used as applied examples of highly birefringent fibres for the suggested method. The refractive indices and birefringence of polypropylene fibre with draw ratio 4 are determined using the suggested and conventional methods. The results of the two methods are compared and it is found to be in agreement with the previously published data. The diffraction of He–Ne laser beam was used to determine the mean value of cross-sectional areas of fibres. Microinterferograms and tables are given for illustrations.