Experimental investigation of extinction properties and thermal conductivity of metal-coated dielectric fibers in vacuum

This paper describes an experimental attempt to replace evacuated multifoils by metal-coated dielectric fibers as a new superinsulation. Calculations of the Rosseland mean of the extinction coefficient of thin highly reflective fibers show that radiation transport can be reduced to the same extent that is achievable with multifoils. First experimental results of extinction coefficients and thermal conductivity of Al-coated glass fibers are reported.