Open AccessLong-term deformation at room temperature observed in fused silica
Author(s) -
Maurizio Vani,
Andrea Sordini,
Giuseppe Molesini
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.18.005114
Subject(s) - homothetic transformation , deformation (meteorology) , materials science , optics , nanometre , term (time) , scale (ratio) , mechanics , composite material , physics , geometry , mathematics , quantum mechanics
Cases of long-term deformation of fused silica flats are reported. The phenomenon is detected at the scale of the nanometer, and exhibits a time constant of the order of 9 years. The observed deformation appears related to gravity and constraints, but a change of physical properties locally resulting in non-homothetic behavior is also hypothesized.