Infrared fiber optics
Abstract
This interim technical report summarizes the first year's research efforts to fabricate optical communications fibers that are transmissive between 1 and 12 micrometers. The ultimate objective of this program is to prepare infrared transmitting fibers with losses less than 5 dB/km. In preparing infrared transparent fibers with these losses, we are emphasizing the extrusion into fiber of very pure KCl as this material has demonstrated bulk losses equal to or less than 5 dB/km in the 2 to 6 micrometers region. The primary approach used to meet the program goals, therefore, was the extrusion of reactive atmosphere process (RAP) grown KCl into 250 to 1000 micrometers-diameter optical fibers. After one year of effort, the best KCl fiber extruded had a loss of 4200 dB/km. This report also summarizes our efforts in fabricating a special infrared fiber prototype device for the detection of pulsed CO2 laser radiation. The prototype device, which is to be used in a battlefield identification friend or foe (BIFF) application, was successfully field tested in Germany.
- Publication:
-
Interim Technical Report
- Pub Date:
- December 1979
- Bibcode:
- 1979hrl..reptQ....H
- Keywords:
-
- Fiber Optics;
- Infrared Detectors;
- Infrared Spectra;
- Optical Communication;
- Extruding;
- Fabrication;
- Lubricants;
- Optical Fibers;
- Potassium Chlorides;
- Pulsed Radiation;
- Radiation Absorption;
- Surface Defects;
- Transmission Loss;
- Optics