Fiber optic mirror fabrication using general-purpose metallic pigments

Abstract

In this work, the potential of using general-purpose paints to fabricate highly reflective, low-cost optical mirrors is evaluated. The study shows that high-reflectivity mirrors can be created in standard single-mode fiber in a reliable, simple and economic manner using the appropriate metallic paint. Preliminary results confirm that the grain size of the metallic particles is a crucial factor in the reflective behavior, together with the substrate in which the particles are suspended. Moreover, interferometric patterns have been observed in some cases, which could lead to the creation of simple and economic fiber optic sensors.