GLASS MATERIALS FOR OPTICAL FIBERS

Abstract

Optical fibers represent the key component of modern optical telecommunication networks. Such fibers are based on silica glass of high purity usually modified with several percent of glassforming oxides such as GeO₂ and P₂O₅. These materials with minimum optical losses around 1.5 μm are transparent up to ∼2 μm. In this paper, the attention is focused on silica glass materials doped with ions of rare-earth elemens for fiber lasers and fiber amplifiers. Since rare earths cause phase separation only in small amount incorporated into silica glass, ternary systems containing P₂O₅ or Al₂O₃ have been investigated. Latest results in GeO₂-based glasses transparent in mid infrared region are also presented.

Keywords

• optical fibers
• silica glass
• mcvd
• fiber lasers