EFFECT OF SCATTERING CENTERS ON THE OPTICAL LOSS OF AS2S3 GLASS-FIBERS IN THE INFRARED

Scattering theory has been used to determine the effect of various def ects on the scattering loss of As2S3 glass fibers. The scattering is r elated to the particle shape, size, relative refractive index, and wav elength of light. Bubbles possess the highest relative refractive inde x and therefore the highest scattering factor. For a given particle si ze and wavelength, the scattering decreases in the order bubbles>carbo n>SiO2>Al2O3>AS2S3. The calculations have been used to predict the max imum tolerable number of defects to obtain low attenuation equal to 10 dB/km at 5.0 mum.