Mid-IR tapered chalcogenide fiber optic attenuated total reflectance sensors for monitoring epoxy resin chemistry

The development of new infrared transmitting optical fibers with low optical losses, sufficient mechanical strength, and temperature range to meet the demanding conditions of many process environments -- and the availability of improved, ruggedized low-cost FTIR spectrometers -- have made in situ FTIR measurements possible. This paper discusses the development of a mid-IR tapered infrared transmitting optical fiber for monitoring the cure of epoxy resins.