Characterization of coated optical fibers by Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography.

Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography is used to image the cross sections of coated optical fibers. A standard single-mode fiber with a dual coating and a hard-clad silica fiber with a single thin low-index coating are studied. The individual coating dimensions, coated and uncoated fiber diameters, and the fiber coating's concentricity are retrieved from a single measurement.