HYDROXYL ION ABSORPTION

In optical fibers, the absorption of electromagnetic waves, including the near- infrared , due to the presence of trapped hydroxyl ions remaining from water as a contaminant. Note: The hydroxyl (OH - ) ion can penetrate glass during or after product fabrication, resulting in significant attenuation of discrete optical wavelengths, e.g. , approximately 1.3 m, used for communications via optical fibers.