Abstract

This paper discusses the mechanical characteristics of a quartz fiber with low temporal dispersion (less than 1 ps/m) for operation in the UV region. Sections of fiber 590 µm in diameter were subjected to rewinding with a relative elongation of 0.5 to 1.5%. The Weibull statistic is found for the distribution of defects of a definite size over the length of a fiber. A method is proposed for screening an optical fiber with respect to mechanical strength by rewinding under a double load. © 2004 Optical Society of America