Patent ID: 6130981
Filing Date: 2000-10-10
Classification: C03C,G02B

Abstract:
An optical fiber for UV light transmission, the fiber being sterilized with gamma radiation, comprising:a multimode optical fiber having:a core comprising synthetic silica that is optionally doped with less than 1% fluorine;a cladding comprising fluorine-doped or boron fluorine-doped synthetic silica;a hydrogen content in the optical fiber higher than 5.times.10.sup.19 molecules/cm.sup.3 ; anda coating on the optical fiber comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, zinc, tin, silver and gold, for suppressing hydrogen diffusion outwardly from the fiber, said coating having a high diffusion coefficient below 150.degree. C. and a low diffusion coefficient at a hydrogen loading temperature above 250.degree. C.;wherein the coated optical fiber is sterilized with gamma radiation.