In the present study, fiber damage experiments were conducted using a new approach for injecting the laser beam into fiber samples. The purpose of this approach was to achieve a test configuration that was independent of the mode structure of the particular laser being used. The method developed was successful in eliminating internal damage within the first few hundred fiber diameters, but resulted in the fiber entrance face being the most likely damage site. This feature, however, proved quite useful for re-examining the effects of CO$-2$/-laser polishing on damage thresholds at the entrance face. Using a test sequence similar to that used previously, a particular laser- polishing schedule was found that significantly improved damage resistance. In addition, preliminary damage experiments were performed during which fiber samples were subjected to much higher bending stresses under carefully controlled conditions.
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