Anisotropy in the elastic response of standard optical fibers characterized via forward Brillouin scattering

Key Points

• Elastic anisotropy leads to dramatic changes in the properties of elastic waves in optical fibers, affecting their performance.
• Forward stimulated Brillouin scattering was used to measure the elastic response under axial strain in standard fibers.
• Standard single-mode silica optical fibers show unique elastic characteristics due to nonlinear elasticity and anisotropic behavior.
• Implications for optical fiber applications and design may enhance performance and durability in various environments.