Ultra-Low Index and Rad-Hard Total Internal Reflection Claddings for High Numerical Aperture Scintillating, Waveshifting, Cerenkov, or Clear Optical Fibers, Capillaries, and Plates

Novel low index (n less than 1.3)/high light trapping cladding films consisting of nanoporous alumina (sapphire), as formed by controlled anodization of aluminum, are described. These films are mechanically hard, intrinsically very rad-hard, and have an index of refraction n sufficiently small to triple the light capture of waveshifting or scintillating fibers and transparent plastic, glass or quartz core fibers. The low indices enable light-piping of water Cerenkov light. Applications are in Energy, Intensity, and Cosmic/Astroparticle detectors.