Chemiluminescence: A promising new testing method for plastic optical fibers

The thermo-oxidative degradation of a polymeric optical cable is investigat ed by chemiluminescence, The results are reliable and reproducible. Two dis tinct processes are reported marked by a peak and a plateau behavior versus the time, respectively. Both processes are ruled by thermally activated pr ocesses. Beside the dependencies of temperature and time, the influence of absorbed water is discussed. Chemiluminescence is proposed as a promising c andidate for a suitable testing method assessing the thermo-oxidative stabi lity of plastic optical fibers and cables. it requires not more than a simp le one-day testing procedure and has the advantage that it can be carried o ut even within the lo cv temperature ranges of the cables' intended use.