Automatic refractive index profiling of fibers by phase analysis method using Fourier transform

Automatic fringe pattern analysis is a powerful and inexpensive digital image-processing technique. It is used to analyze the fringe pattern obtained by different optical techniques, such as multiple-beam Fizeau fringes. To perform accurate and fast automatic measurement of fiber refractive index profile, phase analysis method has been used with the Fourier transform technique. In this paper, the refractive index profiles of polyethylene fibers with different draw ratios are presented by two methods, fringe shift method and phase analysis method. A comparison between the results obtained is presented.