Paramagnetic germanium-related centers induced by energetic radiation in optical fibers and preforms

Abstract We investigated the creation processes of Ge-related paramagnetic point defects in silica fibers and preforms, doped with different amounts of germanium, and X-ray irradiated at several radiation doses. Different paramagnetic defect species, like GeE′, Ge(1) and Ge(2), were revealed by electron paramagnetic resonance measurements and their concentration was studied as a function of the irradiation dose. The comparison with the optical absorption spectra points out the main role of Ge(1) on the optical transmission loss of fibers in the UV region.