Unmatched in both bandwidth potential and performance, optical fiber revolutionized the way in which we communicate. Learn more about the capabilities of optical fiber, and what that means for you.

Explore our comprehensive library of resources, including articles, application notes, videos, white papers, and more. Whether you want to understand the basics, or need the technical specifications for a fiber product, you’ll find it here.

U.S. Military Performance Specification MIL-PRF-13830B uses "Scratch" and "Dig" numbers to define surface quality based on predefined standards. It is specified as one of the numbers 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80 and increases in brightness as the number goes up. This number is indicated the scratches and brightness of the calibrated specification, not the exact measurements. Basically, the Scratch inspection is performed in a darkroom with individual lighting, but it is conducted as a subjective visual inspection, so the results may slightly differently it depends on the inspector. Dig Number is a measurable number that indicates the largest Dig diameter on the surface of the material and is expressed in 1/100 of a scale. If Dig diameter is 0.2mm, Dig Number is 20. The scratch and Dig values are defined, determine the number of faults that are acceptable. The total number of Digs(N) allowed does not exceed the diameter divided by 20.¨ç Please make sure that sum of the Scratch lengths (Lsn) with the specified scratch number and ensure that the sum does not excess quarter of the lens diameter. ¨è The total number of Digs allowed (N) does not excess the diameter divided by 20. ¨é The sum of all dig diameters is (d) to doubled the total number of Digs allowed or less than multiplied dig number by the specified. The Scratch-Dig specifications are widely reviewed standard quality for many optical applications. Typical optical products use 40-20 (Scratch-Dig) and optical products in the laser field define high quality criteria at 20-10 or 10-5 levels. Allowable value for surface defects is depend on the wavelength and UV lasers require 10-5 levels of high quality.

scratch-dig comparator

Corning is committed to outstanding service before, during, and after delivery, with a team of optical fiber experts to help whenever you need it. Call the Optical Fiber Customer Service Department at +1 607-248-2000 or email us at cofic@corning.com.

Corning invented low-loss optical fiber over 50 years ago. Since that time, we have continued to develop technologies and solutions that are transforming the industry, and the world. See how our history of innovation is shaping the future.

scratch-dig chart

Since its invention in 1970, optical fiber has revolutionized the way in which we connect, communicate, and conduct business.

The surface quality of an optical part is a measure of evaluating defects such as "scratch", "dig", etc. that may occur on the surface during manufacturing or during use. uneven surface quality can cause faster damage due to laser beam. Select the proper surface quality for the application is also a cost-critical criterion and over specification can result in unnecessary cost increases. Common criteria to defining the surface quality of lenses include U.S. Military Performance Specification MIL-PRF-13830B and ISO 10110-7.

Scratch and digpaddle

Explore our comprehensive library of resources, including articles, application notes, videos, white papers, and more. Whether you want to understand the basics, or need the technical specifications for a fiber product, you’ll find it here.

Scratch and digpdf

Our proprietary manufacturing processes ensure every product we ship meets the most stringent performance and reliability standards. Find out more about our manufacturing processes, and how they set us apart.

When Corning invented low-loss optical fiber more than 50 years ago, it began a telecommunications revolution that continues to shape the world. And since that time, we have been on the leading edge of optical technology, developing solutions for the networks of today and tomorrow. Learn more about Corning’s contributions to optical fiber, and how those are shaping the future.

Corning’s optical fiber products enable the voice, data, and video communications that are transforming our world. Get the details about our product offerings here.

Scratch-dig specifications

From the desktop to the ocean, Corning optical fiber products are enabling voice, data, and video communications to meet the demands of many network applications.

Corning’s life-changing discoveries ushered in a telecommunications revolution and continue to change the world. Learn more about our fiber products, our history, and our focus on the future.

Bringing together a culture of innovation, quality, and manufacturing excellence to create life-changing optical fiber products.

The total area of covered by imperfections are calculated as follows. AreaTotal = Ng X (Ag)2 ISO 10110-7 basically defined surface quality in a dimensional through Ng and Ag, but it can also define surface quality in a Visibility inspection such as MIL-PRF-13830. The benefits of using both Dimension and Visibility methods can be used in a variety of applications.

80 50 scratch-dig

Corning invented low-loss optical fiber over 50 years ago. Since that time, we have continued to develop technologies and solutions that are transforming the industry, and the world. See how our history of innovation is shaping the future.

Our proprietary optical fiber manufacturing process continues to set the standard for excellence. From raw materials to delivery, each step of the process has been perfected to ensure our customers receive only the best fiber products, every time. Find out more about the process and what sets us apart.

Corning is committed to outstanding service before, during, and after delivery, with a team of optical fiber experts to help whenever you need it. Call the Optical Fiber Customer Service Department at +1 607-248-2000 or email us at cofic@corning.com.

Our commitment to quality guides every aspect of our business. For our customers, it means anticipating your needs and having the resources to support you, any place and any time.

So what is optical fiber, how does it work, and what can it do for you? Find out what it means to live in a world that runs at the speed of light.

Corning is guided by a commitment to quality in every aspect of our operations. Whether you need technical assistance, order support, or industry-leading product attributes, we are dedicated to anticipating your needs and having the resources to help. Click to learn more about the services we provide and see how our quality standards have led to success.

When Corning invented low-loss optical fiber more than 50 years ago, it began a telecommunications revolution that continues to shape the world. And since that time, we have been on the leading edge of optical technology, developing solutions for the networks of today and tomorrow. Learn more about Corning’s contributions to optical fiber, and how those are shaping the future.

mil-prf-13830bscratch and dig

SMF-28® Contour optical fiber is the shape of things to come, enabling smaller, lighter, more sustainable optical solutions.

Scratch and digapp

Corning’s optical fiber products enable the voice, data, and video communications that are transforming our world. Get the details about our product offerings here.

Corning is guided by a commitment to quality in every aspect of our operations. Whether you need technical assistance, order support, or industry-leading product attributes, we are dedicated to anticipating your needs and having the resources to help. Click to learn more about the services we provide and see how our quality standards have led to success.

Unmatched in both bandwidth potential and performance, optical fiber revolutionized the way in which we communicate. Learn more about the capabilities of optical fiber, and what that means for you.

Our proprietary manufacturing processes ensure every product we ship meets the most stringent performance and reliability standards. Find out more about our manufacturing processes, and how they set us apart.

Corning’s life-changing discoveries ushered in a telecommunications revolution and continue to change the world. Learn more about our fiber products, our history, and our focus on the future.

Our commitment to quality guides every aspect of our business. For our customers, it means anticipating your needs and having the resources to support you, any place and any time.

Our proprietary optical fiber manufacturing process continues to set the standard for excellence. From raw materials to delivery, each step of the process has been perfected to ensure our customers receive only the best fiber products, every time. Find out more about the process and what sets us apart.

In the aforementioned MIL-PRF-13830B is an efficient inspection, but the accuracy of the result may be insufficient depend on the subjective check of the inspector. A more objective inspection method, ISO 10110-7 defines quality based on the size and frequency of physical imperfections. However, it takes more time and cost than MIL-PRF-13830B. Using a microscope with a small FOV lens the entire of the test lens is imaged by measurement several times. Inspect measured imaging for surface imperfections not expressed in Scratch and Dig. When the dimensional specification method is used, the drawing indication for number and size of surface imperfections that are permissible within the test region of an optical surface is 5/Ng x Ag and for localized surface imperfections in optical assemblies, it is 15/Ng x Ag Ng is the number of allowed imperfections. Ag is the grade number which is equal to the square root of the area of the maximum allowed imperfection, expressed in millimetres as defined in ISO 14997.

From the desktop to the ocean, Corning optical fiber products are enabling voice, data, and video communications to meet the demands of many network applications.