Effect of structural defects on the strength of quartz fibrous light guides

Results establishing correlation between strength (QFR) and the number of stable structural defects in fiber were obtained. The controlled defect number in samples was created by QFL irradiation by neutrons. Correlation of results of measuring longevity of tense optical fibers with the data of spectroscopic investigations enables to relate the reduction of irradiated sample strength with growth of structural defect concentration in them. The effect on strength was detected when defect concentration changed up to 30% (this was determined according to the change of intensity of corresponding lines in decomposed Raman spectrum). This value is rather small, because structural defect content in quartz glass may differ several times, depending on composition of alloying additions