Vacuum measurements of anti-resonant hollow-core optical fibers for transmission in the far-ultraviolet regime

Hollow-core optical fibers guide light in a core filled with air or completely evacuated. While this technique makes these fibers useful for spectroscopy and sensing applications, it also enables transmission of UV regimes. Anti-resonant hollow-core fibers have been developed to transmit light effectively at wavelengths below 200 nm. However, to measure the transmission of these fibers with reduced atmospheric gases, we designed and constructed a vacuum chamber to eliminate absorption by water vapor and atmospheric oxygen. We present the methodology and repeatability of transmission and attenuation measurements of these fibers in the far-UV (120−220 nm). With these tests, we can increase the technology readiness level of these UV fibers for use in future far-UV applications.