The effect of flexural strain on the transmissivity of optical fiber

Four different multimode optical fibers were tested to obtain the following correlations: (1) signal power with bend radius, (2) strain with bend radius and (3) signal power with strain. The data are presented numerically, graphically and mathematically. Graded index multimode and step index multimode fibers are discussed. The mechanism for the attenuation of light in optical fiber as a result of macrobending is examined. Three of the tested fibers demonstrated a consistent relationship between flexural strain and light transmissivity and could potentially be inlaid within a curved composite material system for use as the principal component in a stress or strain transducer.