Detecting and avoiding the necking deformation along polypropylene fibre axis using the fringe pattern analysis of multiple-beam microinterferometry

A fibre-drawing device attached with the system for producing multiple-beam Fizeau fringes in transmission is used to optimize the optical properties during the cold drawing of polypropylene (PP) fibres. This system is automated for interference pattern analysis. Two drawing processes for the PP fibres are applied and investigated. The first one is fast drawing in which the necking deformation is predicted and the other is the slow (step) drawing in which the necking can be avoided. The refractive index profiles (n and n) of PP fibres are determined at different positions along the fibre axis during the fast and slow drawing processes. The fibre interference patterns are automatically digitized and stored in a computer storage media. The slow drawing technique for PP fibres is recommended to overcome the deformation difficulties along the fibre axis due to necking during the drawing processes. Microinterferograms in case of light vibrating parallel and perpendicular to the fibre axis are given for illustration.     

Fibre matrix adhesion of natural fibres cotton,flax and hemp in polymeric matrices analyzed with the single fibre fragmentation test

In this research the adhesion and the resulting interfacial shear strength (IFFS) between the natural fibres flax, hemp and cotton and the polymer matrices polypropylene with coupling agent (MAPP) and polylactide acid (PLA) was surveyed with the single fibre fragmentation test (SFFT). The adhesion between MAPP and the fibres was good enough to produce fragments, whereas the adhesion between PLA and flax was too weak to transmit enough tension for fibre cracks which is clearly visible on SEM-photographs. Comparing the IFFS values of the fibres in MAPP with an equal fibre diameter shows that the IFFS value of flax is highest with 7.09 N/mm² followed by hemp 6.13 N/mm². The IFFS of cotton is a lot smaller (0.664 N/mm²). The critical fragmentation or fragmentation length of the bast fibres flax (3.16 mm) and hemp (3.20 mm) in MAPP is smaller than the critical fragmentation length of cotton (5.03 mm). The adhesion between the lignocellulosic fibres and MAPP is much better than between the lignin and pectin free cellulose fibre and MAPP. Possible reasons for this — the surface structure of the cotton fibre and its different chemical composition being made up of only cellulose, hemi-cellulose and wax with no pectin or lignin present — are discussed.     

Optical transmission of bulk plastic material and plastic lightguides at high optical powers

Optical transmission measurements were performed with bulk plastic materials and plastic fibres regarding the possible application as a transmission media for high optical powers. Transmission losses of PMMA bulk material and PS/PMMA core-cladding combination optical fibres were determined to be 0.757 dB m^-1 and 1.41 dB m^-1 at 514.5 nm, respectively. The core material of the investigated fibres withstands a power density of 3.8 x 10³ W mm^-2 when the light is suitably launched. With the light source available a transmitted cw output power of 2.1 W could be attained with a 1.5 m long fibre.     

Fabrication of a range of SERS substrates on nanostructured multicore optical fibres

An effective method for producing arrays of nanoscale triangles, rods and wells on the distal end of a silica optical fibre is presented. The structures are produced by applying a wet‐etch procedure to drawn‐down imaging fibres. Structural variation is achieved by altering the final diameter of the drawn fibre. Feature sizes of less than 100 nm can be readily achieved in this way. When coated with silver, surface‐enhanced Raman scattering enhancement factors of over 10⁶ can be achieved, depending on the size and shape of the structures present. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Methods to determine surface energies of natural fibres: a review

To tailor the interaction across composite interfaces especially for the development of green composites, i.e. composites made completely from renewable materials, information about the fibre surfaces is required. We review the current state of the art of methods to determine the surface tension of natural fibres and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of techniques used. Although numerous techniques have been employed to characterise surface tension of natural fibres, it seems that commonly used wetting techniques are very much more affected by the non-ideal character of natural fibres. Inverse Gas Chromatography (IGC) is a much better suited technique to determine the surface energetic properties of natural fibres than wetting techniques. The surface tension of natural reinforcements, determined using IGC, was reported for nanosized bacterial cellulose as well as bamboo, cornhusk, flax, hemp and sisal, covering a wide range of cellulose content. The effect of methods to separate/extract fibres from the plants as well as of a few surface modification procedures on the fibre surface properties is also reviewed. The dispersive part of the natural fibre surface tension γ ^d _S varies from 32 to 61 mJ/m². The fibre surface tension increases with increasing cellulose content of natural fibres. We also found that a higher basicity (Donor Number, K _B to Acceptor Number, K _Aratio) was observed for fibres containing more cellulose. This may be reflective of higher crystalline cellulose content in the surfaces of the fibres, as only the ether linkage of the cellulose is labile for hydrogen bonding.     

Operation of Tm3+ fiber laser at λ = 2.3 μm coupled to a silica fiber Bragg grating

A wavelength tunable all fibre laser which utilizes Tm³⁺-doped fluoride fibre as a gain mechanism emitting around a wavelength of = 2.3 m is reported. Tm³⁺-doped fluoride fibre was coupled to a fibre Bragg grating inscribed in silica. This laser was evaluated by employing it as a wavelength tunable source in a methane gas optical sensor. A minimum gas detectivity of 100 ppm m limited by the ability to prepare low concentrations of gases was achieved. Emission wavelength control was implemented by thermally tuning the grating, although this method may prove to be too slow and cumbersome for practical use. A model describing the coupling between the silica fibre Bragg grating and the Tm³⁺-doped fibre was developed and integrated with a fibre laser model. This theoretical framework was used to examine the optimum silica and fluoride fibre parameters to achieve the maximum coupling between the fibres, with the aim of further reducing the fibre laser threshold.     

Study of 1-3 PZT fibre/epoxy composite force sensor

Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) fibres were prepared by a powder-based extrusion method. Pre-sintered PZT powder mixed with poly(acrylic acid) was spun in a spinnerette to produce fibres. The fibre of ∼400 μm diameter was used to fabricate 1-3 PZT fibre/epoxy composite discs with different volume fractions (ϕ) of PZT. Since the ceramic fibres are rather brittle, their elastic properties cannot be measured directly. In order to determine the properties of the ceramic fibres, effective properties of the fibres/epoxy 1-3 composite were measured. By using a modified series and parallel model, the properties of 1-3 composites can be calculated. Then, the elastic coefficient s_33,fibre^E, relative permittivity ε_33,fibre^T and piezoelectric strain coefficient d_33,fibre of the ceramic fibre could be found. Ring-shaped PZT fibre/epoxy materials composites with different ϕ were fabricated to be used as the sensing material in force sensor applications. The ring-shape composite with ϕ=0.5 was installed into a housing and the sensor was calibrated by different methods and its sensitivity was found to be 144 pC/N within the frequency range of 0.5–6.4 kHz which is much higher than that of a quartz force sensor with a similar structure. PACS 07.07.Df; 72.80.Tm; 77.84.Dy     

Beam delivery characteristics of optical fibres for carbon monoxide lasers

An experimental investigation has been conducted of the propagation characteristics of several types of optical fibres which are candidates for use in optical beam delivery systems for carbon monoxide lasers. Both solid core (chalcogenide) fibres and hollow core (with dielectric or dielectric coated metal) waveguides have been investigated. Such experiments have included an assessment of both the power transmission characteristics, and the effects of waveguide transmission on the optical quality of the beam at the exit of the fibre. The experiments indicated lowest loss for the chalcogenide solid core fibre with a value of 0.4 dB m⁻¹.     

Semiconductor optical fibres: progress and opportunities

This paper reviews recent progress in the nascent field of semiconductor optical fibres, from the fundamentals through to device demonstration. The incorporation of semiconductor materials into both the step‐index and microstructured fibre geometries provides a route to introducing new optoelectronic functionality into existing glass fibre technologies. Herein, the various fabrication methods that have been developed as of to date are described, and their compatibility with the different semiconductor materials and fibre designs discussed. Results will be presented on the optical transmission properties of several fibre types, with particular attention being paid to the observation of nonlinear propagation in silicon core fibres. Finally, some speculation regarding the future prospects and applications of this new class of fibre will be provided.     

Atomic force microscopy characterization of the surface wettability of natural fibres

Natural fibres represent a readily available source of ecologically friendly and inexpensive reinforcement in composites with degradable thermoplastics, however chemical treatments of fibres are required to prepare feasible composites. It is desirable to characterize the surface wettability of fibres after chemical treatment as the polarity of cellulose-based fibres influences compatibility with a polymer matrix. Assessment of the surface wettability of natural fibres using conventional methods presents a challenge as the surfaces are morphologically and chemically heterogeneous, rough, and can be strongly wicking. In this work it is shown that under atmospheric conditions the adhesion force between an atomic force microscopy (AFM) tip and the fibre surface can estimate the water contact angle and surface wettability of the fibre. AFM adhesion force measurements are suitable for the more difficult surfaces of natural fibres and in addition allow for correlations between microstructural features and surface wettability characteristics.     

Influence of dietary fibre on gluten proteins structure – a study on model flour with application of FT‐Raman spectroscopy

Dietary fibres are regarded as the source of polysaccharides and antioxidants such as polyphenols. However, addition of dietary fibre to bread causes significant reduction in its quality. The bread quality is connected with the structure of gluten proteins. For this reason, Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy was applied to determine changes in structure of gluten proteins modified by seven dietary fibres. The fibres were added to model flour reconstituted with wheat gluten and wheat starch. The model flour was used to provide gluten proteins of definite structure. The obtained results showed that six out of seven fibres caused similar changes in β‐turn structures. The appearance of the band at 1642 cm⁻¹ and the shift toward lower wavenumbers of the band at 1670 cm⁻¹ in the difference spectra indicated hydrogen bonding of carbonyl groups in β‐turns leading to protein folding/aggregation. Addition of fibre preparations caused also changes in conformation of disulfide bridges (S–S), corresponding to transformation to trans‐gauche‐gauche and trans‐gauche‐trans conformations at the expense of the stable gauche‐gauche‐gauche conformation. The S–S bonds in less stable conformations were formed inside the protein complex as well as between protein complexes in the form of β‐structures. Generally, the observed changes in gluten proteins after addition of dietary fibres were results of interactions between fibre polysaccharides and gluten proteins rather than between polyphenols and gluten proteins. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Active fibres and optical amplifiers

The incorporation of rare-earth ions into glass fibres to form fibre lasers and amplifiers is not a recent development. In fact the first glass laser ever demonstrated [l] was flashpumped in the form of an optical fibre, a configuration that was used to overcome the difficulties of obtaining high-quality glass in bulk form. Apart from a report [2] in 1974 of laser operation in an Nd³⁺-doped silica multimode fibre, the idea of guided-wave glass lasers attracted little attention for the next 24 years. The idea resurfaced [3] in 1985 because both optical fibre and laser-diode technologies had advanced to a stage where low-loss, rare-earth-doped, single-mode fibres could be made and high-power semiconductor sources were available to pump them. In addition, low-cost fibre components (couplers, polarizers, filters) were available, which allowed construction of complex, all-fibre ring and Fabry-Perot resonators [4] to form a unique and powerful new fibrelaser technology. Even so, it was only the announcement in 1987 of a high-gain, erbiumdoped fibre amplifier (EDFA) [5] operating in the third telecommunications wave length window at 1.54 μm that sparked widespread interest in rare-earth-doped fibres in the optical telecommunications community. From that moment, frenzied worldwide activity has brought numerous new fibre amplifier developments and in 1990 resulted in several commercial products appearing, a time-lag of only three years after the first research announcement.     

Photoluminescence of an Yb3+/Al3+-codoped microstructured optical fibre

An Yb 3+ /Al 3+-codoped microstructured optical fibre is prepared based on photonic crystal fibre technology.The characteristic spectra of preforms and fibres are experimentally investigated.The results show that under a 971 nm excitation,besides the known infrared fluorescence luminescence around 1050 nm,a blue luminescence peak at 486 nm is obtained.Moreover,an unexpected emission peak at 730 nm is also observed.The photoluminescence mechanism of an Yb 3+ /Al 3+-codoped microstructured optical fibre is discussed.The emission peak at 486 nm is attributed to the cooperative upconversion resulting from pairs of Yb 3+ ions,and the emission peak around 730 nm is ascribed to the stimulated Raman scattering because of nonlinear effects of microstructured optical fibre.The Yb 3+ /Al 3+-codoped microstructured optical fibre is promising for varieties of applications from laser printing and optical recording to cancer treatments,such as photodynamic therapy.     

Fully automatic system for the coupling alignment of optical fibres

To realize the low-loss connection of two optical fibres intended as a transmission medium for optical signals, very tight tolerances have to be observed on account of the small geometrical dimensions involved. The present work describes a fully automatic system for the alignment of optical fibres in thex-y planes relative to a light source, which has only a single intensity peak, so that maximum optical power is launched into the fibre. The light source can be, for instance, the radiating end of a fibre, a semi-conductor laser or a light-emitting diode. The optical power coupled into the fibre serves as the control signal. Three precision displacement stages driven by stepping motors serve to align the fibres. Various sequential control algorithms for optimal coupling are investigated with reference to theory. Two algorithms are tested with the aid of a computer with reference to the alignment accuracy and speed requirements which have to be met and the one shown by theoretical simulation to be the more favourable is selected for technical realization. The resulting system was used for numerous alignment operations for the coupling of two graded-index fibres. The alignment time is below 1 s and the coupling efficiency compared with manual coupling alignment efficiency (= 100%) is above 99%, corresponding to an additional loss of <0.05 dB.     

The absorption spectrum of polycrystalline silver halide fibres

The wavelength dependence of the attenuation in polycrystalline AgCl:AgBr fibre has been determined between 2.5 μm and 14 μm. The background attenuation as λ^-2 dependence as expected but there are also strong absorption peaks due to water and silver oxide which, to our knowledge, are observed for the first time in these fibres.     

Characterization of NiO–yttria stabilised zirconia (YSZ) hollow fibres for use as SOFC anodes

NiO–yttria stabilised zirconia (YSZ) hollow fibres with varying NiO content and a desired microstructure were prepared using a phase inversion technique and sintering. By controlling the fabrication parameters, microstructures with predominately finger-like pores near the inner and outer surfaces and a denser central layer with sponge-like pores were produced, for use as substrates for anode-supported hollow fibre solid oxide fuel cells (HF-SOFC). The NiO–YSZ fibres were reduced to Ni–YSZ at 250–700 °C in hydrogen flowing at 20 cm³ min^? 1 to produce Ni–YSZ hollow fibres, the mechanical and electrical properties of which were determined subsequently, reduction to Ni being verified by X-ray diffraction. The effects of NiO concentration and sintering temperature of the fibre precursors on the conductivity, strength and porosity of the reduced hollow fibres were investigated to assess their suitability for use as anode substrates. As expected, increasing Ni concentration increased electrical conductivities and decreased mechanical strength. Sintering temperature had a critical effect in producing axially conductive hollow fibres of sufficient mechanical strength for use as SOFC anodes. The hollow fibres retained their initial microstructure through the reduction process, though ca. 41% volume contraction is predicted on reduction of NiO to Ni, producing increased porosity in the reduced fibres. The mean porosity of the Ni–YSZ hollow fibres was ca. 60% and ca. 40% after sintered at 1250 °C and 1400 °C, respectively. The mean pore sizes for all the fibres after reduction varied between ca. 0.3 and 1 µm. The hollow fibres produced with 60% NiO, of length ca. 300 mm, electrical conductivities of ca. (1–2.25) × 10⁵ S m^? 1 and a porosity of ca. 43% are being used currently to construct and test the electrical behaviour of an anode-supported HF-SOFC.     

XPS identification of surface-initiated polymerisation during monomer transfer moulding of poly(?-caprolactone)/Bioglass fibre composite

In this work, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was demonstrated to be a useful method to characterise surface-initiated polymerisation. Both E-glass fibre and Bioglass^® fibre were treated using 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (and propyltrimethoxysilane as a control) and then they were used as a reinforcement, respectively, in monomer transfer moulding to prepare poly(?-caprolactone)/glass fibre composites with stannous octoate as the catalyst for ?-caprolactone polymerisation. The fibre was extracted and then analysed using XPS to probe the presence of PCL chemically bonded to the glass fibre surface. Both tin and PCL were detected on the surface of the fibres sized with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, confirming surface-initiated polymerisation of ?-caprolactone.     

The preparation of multimode glass- and liquid-core optical fibres

A preform technique for drawing cladded-glass and hollow fibres suitable for application to optical communications is described. The parameters which need to be controlled are discussed and the preparation of the preforms is described. The resulting fibres have a high geometric uniformity and a probe beam remains largely at the same angle to the axis after more than 10⁶ reflections at the core/cladding interface. Fibre attenuations of 150, 60 and 5.8 dB km^–1 have been obtained with commercial glasses, preforms made from a special melt at Sheffield University [5], and a commercial liquid, respectively. The fibre drawing process does not appear to introduce any additional impurities and heat treatment has produced a significant reduction of transmission loss in glass fibres.     

Upper limit of bandwidth improvement by optical equalization of graded-index fibres

Optical equalization was suggested as a means for increasing the bandwidth of optical fibre communication links when non-optimal graded-index fibre profiles are available. In this paper it is shown that by proper choice of the length as well as of the index of the compensating fibre one can significantly increase the bandwidth capability of the link. An upper limit of this improvement is derived, which is much larger than that obtained with alternating fibres of equal lengths.