FABRICATION AND OPTICAL-PROPERTIES OF LEAD-GERMANATE GLASSES AND A NEW CLASS OF OPTICAL FIBERS DOPED WITH TM3+

In this article we present a study of a new class of optical fibers ba sed on lead germanate glass. The maximum vibrational frequency of this glass is intermediate between silica and zirconium barium lanthanum a luminum fluoride glass, causing a beneficial change in nonradiative de cay and therefore quantum efficiency for particular laser transitions. Fabrication of high-strength, low-loss fibers of this glass has been acheived by modification of the composition to produce optimal physica l properties for fiber drawing, while retaining the useful vibrational properties of the original PbGeO2 glass. Measurements of both the the rmal and optical properties are described. The fibers produced are ide al for many applications in fiber devices.