The (GeTe3.76)50(AgI)50 glass fiber with low optical losses in the 7–11 μm spectral range

Authors

  • Alexander P. Velmuzhov G. G. Devyatykh Institute of Chemistry of High-Purity Substances of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 49, Tropinin st., Nizhny Novgorod, 603137, Russian Federation
  • Elizaveta A. Tyurina G. G. Devyatykh Institute of Chemistry of High-Purity Substances of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 49, Tropinin st., Nizhny Novgorod, 603137, Russian Federation
  • Maksim V. Sukhanov G. G. Devyatykh Institute of Chemistry of High-Purity Substances of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 49, Tropinin st., Nizhny Novgorod, 603137, Russian Federation
  • Tatiana V. Kotereva G. G. Devyatykh Institute of Chemistry of High-Purity Substances of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 49, Tropinin st., Nizhny Novgorod, 603137, Russian Federation
  • Vladimir S. Shiryaev G. G. Devyatykh Institute of Chemistry of High-Purity Substances of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 49, Tropinin st., Nizhny Novgorod, 603137, Russian Federation

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17308/kcmf.2026.28/13805

Keywords:

Telluride glasses, Silver iodide, Chemical transport, Optical fiber, Infrared range, Optical losses

Abstract

Objectives: Optical fibers based on Ge–Te–AgI glasses are promising materials for middle infrared (IR) optics. However, the optical loss level achieved in such fibers significantly exceeds the theoretical minimum values for chalcogenide glasses, limiting their widespread practical application. One way to solve this problem is to reduce the content of impurities in glass that absorb and scatter radiation.

The goal of the study was to reduce optical losses in an unclad (GeTe3.76)50(AgI)50 glass fiber in the middle IR region, as well as to expand the spectral range in which losses do not exceed 1 dB/m.

Experimental: The (GeTe3.76)50(AgI)50 glass was prepared by a complex method including the following main stages: 1) melting a GeTe3.76 batch with terbium for selective binding of oxygen impurity; 2) loading the batch into the reactor by vacuum distillation with separate condensation of tellurium and germanium(II) telluride; 3) synthesis and double chemical transport of silver iodide using germanium(IV) iodide as a transport agent. A glass sample in the form of a cylindrical rod with a diameter of 7 mm and a length of 180 mm was prepared. An optical fiber was drawn using a “rod-in-crucible” technique. A unclad fiber with a diameter of 200 ± 10 μm and a length of 20 m was fabricated. Optical losses were measured by means of a standard two-point (cut-off) technique using an IR Fourier spectrometer.

Conclusions: The minimum optical losses in the fabricated fiber were 0.33±0.02 dB/m at a wavelength of 9.7 μm. The spectral range corresponding to optical losses of no more than 1 dB/m was 6.9–11.5 μm. At the operating wavelengths of the CO2‑laser, optical losses were at the level of 0.37±0.02 dB/m (9.3 μm) and 0.51±0.03 dB/m (10.6 μm). These are the best results for optical fibers made of telluride glasses

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Author Biographies

  • Alexander P. Velmuzhov, G. G. Devyatykh Institute of Chemistry of High-Purity Substances of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 49, Tropinin st., Nizhny Novgorod, 603137, Russian Federation

    Cand. Sci. (Chem.), Senior Researcher, Laboratory of High-Purity Chalcogenide Glasses for Mid-IR Photonics, G. G. Devyatykh Institute of Chemistry of High-Purity Substances, Russian Academy of Sciences (Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation)

  • Elizaveta A. Tyurina, G. G. Devyatykh Institute of Chemistry of High-Purity Substances of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 49, Tropinin st., Nizhny Novgorod, 603137, Russian Federation

    Cand. Sci. (Chem.), Researcher, Laboratory of High-Purity Chalcogenide Glasses for Mid-IR Photonics, G. G. Devyatykh Institute of Chemistry of High-Purity Substances, Russian Academy of Sciences (Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation)

  • Maksim V. Sukhanov, G. G. Devyatykh Institute of Chemistry of High-Purity Substances of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 49, Tropinin st., Nizhny Novgorod, 603137, Russian Federation

    Cand. Sci. (Chem.), Senior Researcher, Laboratory of High-Purity Chalcogenide Glasses for Mid-IR Photonics, G. G. Devyatykh Institute of Chemistry of High-Purity Substances, Russian Academy of Sciences (Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation)

  • Tatiana V. Kotereva, G. G. Devyatykh Institute of Chemistry of High-Purity Substances of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 49, Tropinin st., Nizhny Novgorod, 603137, Russian Federation

    Cand. Sci. (Chem.), Senior Researcher, Laboratory of High-Purity Chalcogenide Glasses for Mid-IR Photonics, G. G. Devyatykh Institute of Chemistry of High-Purity Substances, Russian Academy of Sciences (Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation)

  • Vladimir S. Shiryaev, G. G. Devyatykh Institute of Chemistry of High-Purity Substances of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 49, Tropinin st., Nizhny Novgorod, 603137, Russian Federation

    Dr. Sc. (Chem.), Deputy Director for Research, G. G. Devyatykh Institute of Chemistry of High-Purity Substances of the Russian Academy of Science (Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation)

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Published

2026-06-25

Issue

Vol. 28 No. 2 (2026)

Section

Short communication

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Copyright (c) 2026 Kondensirovannye sredy i mezhfaznye granitsy = Condensed Matter and Interphases

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How to Cite

The (GeTe3.76)50(AgI)50 glass fiber with low optical losses in the 7–11 μm spectral range. (2026). Kondensirovannye Sredy I Mezhfaznye Granitsy = Condensed Matter and Interphases, 28(2), 316-324. https://doi.org/10.17308/kcmf.2026.28/13805