Analysis of temporal and spectral response of an optical fiber Fizeau interferometer applied to the study of photocurable resins

In this paper an optical fiber Fizeau interferometer is used to obtain dimensional changes that occur during the solidification process of photocurable polymers, even if there is a reversal of the corresponding deformation. The simultaneous detection of both temporal and spectral evolutions of the interferometric signal allows recognizing the existence of thermal or mechanical processes by detecting any change in the direction of movement (expansion/contraction) or in the chemical reaction rate. As an example it is shown the analysis of the curing process of an experimental photocurable dental resin. The results obtained show a perfect agreement between temporal and spectral methods.