Newsroom
What is Pure Silica Core?
Pure Silica Core (PSC) is an optical fiber design in which the fiber core is made primarily of high-purity silica, rather than being doped with elements such as germanium. This composition provides specific optical properties that are particularly valuable for demanding photonics applications.
Pure silica cores offer excellent transmission characteristics, including strong resistance to solarization in the UV and good radiation tolerance when combined with an appropriate cladding and coating. PSC fibers can therefore be designed for operation across UV, visible, and near-infrared wavelengths, including in environments where radiation or high optical power can affect conventional fibers.
HOW Pure Silica Core Works
The performance of a pure silica core fiber results from three key characteristics:
High-purity silica core
The core contains very few dopants or impurities, reducing absorption and other optical losses associated with certain doped silica compositions.
Optimized cladding
The silica core is surrounded by a cladding with a lower refractive index, such as fluorine-doped silica, which keeps light confined within the core through total internal reflection.
Environmental resistance
The absence of certain dopants can improve resistance to effects such as UV-induced solarization and radiation-induced attenuation. PSC fibers can consequently be engineered for applications requiring stable optical transmission in harsh environments.
