Measurement of Internal Stress in Glass Articles

We have developed a method for measurement of internal stress in glass articles. The method uses Rayleigh-scattered light from a properly polarized laser beam propagating through glass at an oblique angle. This light is imaged with an electronic focal plane array camera. The method is similar to earlier published methods except for the inclusion of an externally controlled phase retarder. The phase retarder allows for the success of the method. The method is suitable for use on flat or curved glass and is applicable over a broad range of residual stresses. Experimental results are provided showing the in-plane stress throughout the thickness of a television glass sample.