Refractive index perturbations in optical fibers resulting from frozen-in viscoelasticity

We show that frozen-in viscoelasticity has a significant impact on the refractive index profile of optical fibers. Viscoelastic strains can be frozen into an optical fiber during draw, or by cooling down a drawn fiber from its fictive temperature while under tension. The resulting refractive index perturbation is concentrated in the highest viscosity region of the fiber, exhibits minimal birefringence, and can significantly alter critical performance characteristics. Our quantitative theory for the refractive index perturbation is in excellent agreement with measured data. Frozen-in viscoelasticity can also be harnessed to serve as the basis for optical fiber devices. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.