Abstract

Some results of accelerated tests of the hydrogen and radiation resistance of erbium-doped fibers (EDFs) have been reported. However. it seems that long-term loss increases predicted iii the previous publications are too pessimistic because of the methods for estimation used. In this paper we present results of hydrogen-exposure and γ-irradiation tests for EDFs with different aluminum content levels (0, 1, and 3 wt. %), and we estimate long-term loss increases by using more realistic and precise techniques, which lead to the conclusion that the loss increase is negligible under practical conditions.

© 1994 Optical Society of America