On the behavior of uniaxial static stress loaded micro-scale fused silica beams at room temperature

The question of whether static stress in fused silica relaxes at room temperature is still under debate. Here, we report experimental data investigating the behavior when subjected to tensile up 2 GPa levels different environmental conditions. Our measurements are performed using an innovative combination methods; a femtosecond laser used accurately load monolithic microscale test beam non-contact manner, fabricated processing and chemical etching, while continuously monitored photoelasticity over extended period spanning several months, both dry normal atmospheric results practical importance, not only for photonics devices making use stress-induced birefringence but also flexures loads.