Features

Treated to Maintain UV Transmittance for Long Exposure Periods

In the plot above, a Solarization Resistant Fiber of 2 m length is exposed to several UV wavelengths. At wavelengths below 260 nm, high energy UV photons solarize materials. For a fiber optic light guide, these causes significant transmittance losses and an eventually unusable fiber. To create a Solarization Resistant Fiber, hydrogen is infused into the fiber's silica core at high temperatures. This delays the effects of solarization and helps the fiber maintain a longer lifetime of UV transmittance. The usable lifetime of a UV transmitting fiber will always be dependent on the following three conditions:

  • The wavelength(s) to which the fiber is being exposed. Shorter wavelength photons have greater energy, therefore shortening the lifetime of the fiber more quickly than longer wavelength photons.
  • The intensity of the source. A higher intensity light source degrades the fiber's internal material quicker.
  • The duration or cycle time. Longer durations or pulses of UV exposure shorten fiber lifetime.
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