Non-monotonous refractive index changes recorded in a phosphate glass optical fibre using 248nm, 500fs laser radiation

摘要

Results are presented on the photosensitivity behavior of a phosphate glass optical fibre using 248nm, 500fs laser radiation. Bragg grating exposures performed using a double phase mask interferometer and peak intensities of 0.37TW/cm2, revealed that grating growth becomes non-monotonic in terms of average and modulated refractive index changes, resembling the Type IIA photosensitivity behavior. Average refractive index changes greater than 10?3 were measured after accumulated energy density doses of 6.5KJ/cm2. The Bragg gratings inscribed maintained significant part of their strength up to 377°C. Exposed and side-polished fibre samples were subjected to Knoop micro-hardness measurements for revealing that the irradiated glass undergoes significant volume dilation.