Suppression of solarization effects in optical fibers for 266 nm laser radiation
- Laser-Laboratorium Goettingen (Germany)
- Fachhochschule Giessen, Friedberg (Germany)
- Fachhochschule, Merseburg (Germany)
The creation of color centers in the Si-O network of a fused silica fiber by UV laser photons leads to solarization and hence to decreasing optical UV-transmission of the fiber. So fibers are only of little use for UV laser applications. We now found a way to improve the fiber properties by reduction of solarization. The transmission behaviour of these modified fibers for 266 nm pulsed laser radiation has been studied. Spectroscopic experiments give some insight into the creation processes and the repair dynamics of the color centers. The influence of the OH-content in the fiber was also investigated. Based on this work, it is possible to realize fiber optic beam delivery systems for frequency quadrupeled Nd:YAG lasers and for other high power UV laser sources. These results may also be useful for the improvement of bulk fused silica for UV applications.
- Research Organization:
- International Society for Optical Engineering, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 552308
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-961070--Vol.2966
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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