Numerical Analysis of Stress Distribution in Embedded Polymer and Silica-Glass Highly Birefringent Fibers

The paper presents a numerical analysis of influence of polymerization shrinkage on selected polymer and silica-based highly birefringent (HB) optical fibers embedded in a composite material. Since polymerization is a chemical process consisting in combining many molecules into a macromolecular compound, the direction of polymerization shrinkage depends on the number of constituent composite surfaces. A detailed analysis of the piezo-optic effects occurring in HB fibers before and after the lamination process is presented. An answer to the question to what extent we are able to properly diagnose a degree of degradation of the material is also provided.