Long-time optical transmittance measurements of silica nanofibers

Abstract

We perform long-time measurements of the optical silica transmittance during several months in different environments and with different nanofiber lengths. These measurements are repeatable and give guidelines to control and to improve the lifetime and the performances of the nanofiber. The dust particles on the nanofiber surface is the fundamental reason behind its degradation. Enhancing the cleanness conditions of the nanofiber environment makes its lifetime increases significantly (from some hours to some months) and enables to avoid the dramatic decrease of its transmittance even after months. The nanofiber length does not contribute to the nanofiber transmittance degradation. Stabilizing the nanofiber transmittance after its decrease is possible by putting in in a dust free box.