Scattering characteristics of fluoride optical fibers

Abstract
The 3-D distribution of scattered light intensity from a short fiber segment was measured to clarify the light scattering characteristics of fluoride fibers that contain alkaline metal ions (Li+ or Na+). It was verified that the scattering loss of fluoride fibers containing alkali exhibits a typical Rayleigh 1/wavelength4 dependence. In addition, it was found that fluoride fibers containing alkali exhibit strong backscattering, which is distinctive light scattering phenomena for phase-separated glass.