Aluminum coated fiber optics for harsh environments

 

Special fibers support applications in high-temperature and high-vacuum areas and also withstand aggressive substances

The new CeramOptec® AL-Fibers are provided with a hermetically sealed metal coating made of aluminum and are thus protected against the penetration of liquids and gases. They are suitable for operating temperatures between -196°C and +400°C, do not outgas even under high vacuum conditions, and resist both organic solvents and other aggressive substances. The fibers are significantly more mechanically resilient than fibers with organic coatings such as hermetic carbon coatings. Their aluminum coating does not accumulate static electricity and simplifies fiber cooling through good thermal conduction. Soldering of the fibers is also possible in principle.

The new fiber optics are ideal for high-temperature applications in the petrochemical industry as well as in nuclear power plants and test reactors. In addition AL-Fibers are also used for high-vacuum coatings in the electronics industry and related areas, as well as for fiber optic applications in general, where thermal management plays a key role. Aluminum coatings for harsh environment applications can in principle be realized for all CeramOptec® glass fibers - from all-round fiber optics such as the Optran® UV/WF fibers to special solutions such as the solarization-free Optran® UVNSS fibers or the homogenizing Optran® NCC fibers with polygonal core geometry.