Fiber Optics

Optical fibers used in telecommunications operate by confining the light signal to their core and acting as a waveguide for the electromagnetic light wave.

In order to transport the optical signal, the refractive index at the center of the fiber needs to be raised, which is most commonly achieved by using germanium as a dopant. Both germanium tetrachloride and germanium oxide therefore play an important part in optical fiber manufacturing. The starting material for making optical fibers are preforms made from fused silica, and the germanium doping occurs at the center of these preforms.

In addition to providing germanium tetrachloride and germanium oxide to optical fiber manufacturers, we also provide reclaim services that use material that are collected after our customers’ manufacturing process and process them to reclaim and recycle the germanium metal.