IR Materials and Fibers

doi:10.1117/3.2569177.ch2

Book: Infrared Fiber Optics

Editor(s): Paul Klocek; George H. Sigel Jr.

Published: 1989

https://doi.org/10.1117/3.2569177.ch2

Abstract

A variety of materials, both crystalline and glassy, possess appropriate intrinsic properties (including minimum loss, material dispersion, and tensile strength) for potential application as mid-IR fibers. However, the major emphasis to date has focused on the fluoride glasses. A number of excellent reviews of recent work on fluorides can be found in the literature, including papers by Miyashita and Manabe, Tran et al., and Drexhage. In this section, a review is presented of the current status of fluoride glass technology, including the preparation and characterization of both bulk glasses and fibers. Material is presented that outlines the primary glass compositions, structure, preparation methods, and optical and physical properties for both bulk glasses and fibers.