Discussion on Raleigh scattering as a dominant loss factor in VIS/NIR in bismuth-doped silicate fibers [Invited]

We present the data showing significant impact of scattering upon base-loss in the VIS/NIR region in bismuth (Bi), yttrium/lithium co-doped germano- and phospho-silicate optical fibers. The fibers were fabricated through standard modified chemical vapor deposition process in conjunction with solution-doping technique and their spectral loss (linear and nonlinear, at different excitation wavelengths) and emission properties were thoroughly studied. Among the features revealed for the fibers, the dependence of unbleached loss on wavelength obeyed (∼1/λ4) points on Raleigh scattering behind the phenomenon.