Germanium-dopant effect on hydroxyl loss increase in optical fibers

The germanium-dopant effect on hydroxyl loss increase in optical fibers is studied experimentally. The distribution profile of hydroxyl absorption which is caused by hydrogen diffusion is measured for GeO2-doped silica glasses. From the experiment, it is found that the distribution profile of induced hydroxyl absorption is similar to the GeO2concentration profile. Moreover, the absorption loss increases due to hydrogen diffusion are measured for GeO2-doped silica fibers. From the experiment, it is concluded that the induced molecular hydrogen loss as well as the induced hydroxyl loss increases with an increase in the GeO2concentration.