Changes

==Light Loss Along Length==

==Light Loss Along Length==

I took the segments of wave guide that I had examined under microscope and exposed them to a green laser pointer with very little ambient light.  The laser illuminated the wave guide and revealed the effects of surface damage.  Areas with fissures, dust, or residue sparkled under the green light.  This indicates significant light loss.  Understanding light loss is key to the success of the tagger microscope.

I took the segments of wave guide that I had examined under microscope and exposed them to a green laser pointer in a dark room.  The laser illuminated the wave guide and revealed the effects of surface damage.  Areas with fissures, dust, or residue sparkled under the green light.  This indicates significant light loss.  Understanding light loss is key to the success of the tagger microscope.

[[ File:Cropped Used WG Loss LengthwiseDSC 0169.JPG |thumb|center|Figure 1: The effect of many surface imperfections becomes obvious when looking at a length of illuminated light guide. (Previously processed light guide. MFR: Saint Gobain BCF-98)]]

[[ File:Cropped Used WG Loss LengthwiseDSC 0169.JPG |thumb|center|Figure 1: The effect of many surface imperfections becomes obvious when looking at a length of illuminated light guide. (Previously processed light guide. MFR: Saint Gobain BCF-98)]]

In Figure 7, I shined a laser through the new light guide and used a paper bowl to block ambient light from the laser.  To the left of the bowl, one sees bright spots on an otherwise dimly lit fiber.  This corresponds to the position of the clamp.

In Figure 7, I shined a laser through the new light guide and used a paper bowl to block ambient light from the laser.  To the left of the bowl, one sees bright spots on an otherwise dimly lit fiber.  This corresponds to the position of the clamp.

Examining Figure 8 reveals several marks along the right half of the fiber.  The leftmost striation is most well-defined, and beyond that the fiber does not spill light.  I hypothesize that the clip may have been re-positioned, leaving other scratches, but the leftmost band was the farthest down the fiber that the clip was placed. Some of the poorly defined light loss from the right might simply be due to the position of the laser.

Examining Figure 8 reveals several marks along the right half of the fiber.  The leftmost striation is the most well-defined, and beyond that the fiber does not spill light.  I hypothesize that the clip may have been re-positioned, leaving other scratches, but the leftmost band was the farthest down the fiber that the clip was placed. Some of the poorly defined light loss from the right might simply be due to the position of the laser.

Figure 9 offers an alternate view with less ambient light.

Figure 9 offers an alternate view with less ambient light.