Statistics of the strength of optical fibers

Abstract

A discussion is presented of means of depicting statistical data on the strength of optical fibers (or other fibers) both graphically and in terms of analytic statistical models. Emphasis is placed on the cumulative hazard which may be interpreted as the density of flaws along a fiber which lead to breaks below a given strength. A portion of the data seems to be fit well by a Weibull distribution. Failures at high strength which do not fit the Weibull plot are to be censored. The applicability of this Weibull distribution at very low strengths is still open to question. Quantitative proof testing, and/or an identification of failure modes, would help clarify the issue.