Abstract

We have conducted a comparison of the UV photosensitivity of optical fiber with the blue fluorescence emitted during the exposure. In a survey of ten non-hydrogen-loaded germanium-doped fibers, we measured the UV photosensitivity and monitored the blue fluorescence during the growth of fiber gratings. Our goal was to determine whether the initial fluorescence, or the change in the fluorescence during exposure, is correlated with the index change. This provides insight into the underlying physical mechanism of UV-induced index change and also determines whether the blue fluorescence can be used as an indicator of the photosensitivity of a fiber.

© 1995 Optical Society of America