Vacuum ultraviolet absorption spectrum of photorefractive Sn-doped silica fiber preforms

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) absorption data have been obtained up to 8.3 eV on Sn-doped silica fibre preforms. Measurements have been carried out before and after exposure to 248 nm radiation from KrF excimer laser. The absorption spectrum is composed of three structures peaking at about 4.9, 5.8 and 7 eV, with the absorption edge at about 8.2 eV. The main effect of 5 eV irradiation is the decrease of the spectral components at 4.9 and 7 eV, whereas a small increase of absorption intensity is only observed just below the band at 4.9 eV. According to the observed negative absorption changes in the whole region of point-defect bands one would expect a negative refractive index change, contrary to the positive change previously reported in optical fibres of the same composition. Structural modifications accompanying the defect photoconversion process are suggested to be responsible for positive refractive index changes.