System and method for measuring the density of fibers projecting from a planar surface

A system and a method for determining the density in which fibers are disposed along a planar surface employs a source of irradiance and a detector of irradiance in optical communication. A planar surface is positioned slightly below the optical path between the source and the detector. The fibers disposed along the planar surface interrupt the transmission of irradiance between the source and the detector. This interruption causes a decrease in the quantity of irradiance reaching the detector, resulting in a corresponding drop in the detector's output voltage. The density in which fibers are disposed along the planar surface can be determined by comparing the detector's voltage output with a pre-established baseline relating voltage output to fiber density.