Color Centers in Glass Optical Fiber Waveguides

ABSTRACTColor centers formed in the core and cladding of optical fiber waveguides by exposure to nuclear radiation can greatly increase the attenuation in the infrared spectral region of interest for optical communications. The radiation-induced paramagnetic defect centers in pure silica, silica doped with Ge, P, or B, and heavy metal fluoride glasses have been identified and thoroughly characterized by electron spin resonance (ESR) techniques. This paper will review the results of recent studies of color centers in optical fiber waveguide materials and their Identification via correlations of the radiation-induced optical absorptions and defect centers elucidated by ESR.