Do fiber optics transmit UV light?

[jsmoove]

I'm specifically wondering if fiber optic faceplates can be used to transfer an image and expose that image on cyanotype, in a contact printing method. (with the sun, or some other UV source)

 

[Europan]

Not far. Most glass sorts absorb ultraviolet within the first few millimeters. Nonetheless, try.

 

[koraks]

It depends on the fiber material. Polymer fibers will generally attenuate UV very dramatically, even at somewhat longer wavelengths - say, the 350-400nm region that is of particular interest with alt. process printing. Glass fibers will also attenuate these wavelengths, but much less so, with generally acceptable losses if the thickness of the material (in this case the length of the fibers in the faceplate) remains below a few mm or so. For both materials, attenuation increases as wavelength decreases, with the implication that anything below ca. 350nm gets attenuated dramatically. But since this part of the spectrum is usually a little less relevant for alt. processes (the light sources we use generally emit mostly in the 350-400 part of the spectrum), it's of lesser concern.

 

[AgX]

Glass fibers will also attenuate these wavelengths, but much less so, with generally acceptable losses if the thickness of the material (in this case the length of the fibers in the faceplate) remains below a few mm or so.

But Glass fibres are used typically in lengths of decimeters or meters.

 

[AgX]

And Glass Fibres optimized for short-wavelength UV transmission so far suffered from a reduction in transmission over time, induced by that UV light.

 

[jsmoove]

I'm thinking of trying something like: https://www.surplusshed.com/pages/item/L3173.html
There isn't any uv info for this piece, but I'll give it a go and see what happens I suppose!

 

[AgX]

I thought you were still busy with that lens thing...

 

[jsmoove]

Oh for the ball lens? The idea I have here is to put the ball lens in the fiber optic plate, that way I can work with a flat surface and transfer an image to the ball, if that makes sense. Though, if the fiber optic plate doesnt work to transmit UV, then cyanotype wouldn't work. But might be interesting to try none the less?

 

[AgX]

It makes sense. In any case more sense than some of your former ideas. And I must admit I did not consider a plano-concave fiber plate. Even did not come such across. Great find!

 

[jsmoove]

It was thanks to the folks over at r/optics on reddit for the suggestion. I remembered seeing them over at surplus shed.
Kindof a bananas project, learnt loads so far though. Will update when I have conducted the experiments!