Abstract

Hydroxyl ion contamination of optical fiber cores, and to a lesser extent cladding, proves a serious impediment to low loss, especially at longer wavelength (1.3-1.6 μm). In MCVD this contamination originates primarily from hydrogenic impurities in the gas supply, reactants, or leaks in the deposition apparatus. The level of contamination produced by this impurity is controlled by the reaction.

© 1981 Optical Society of America