Photosensitivity in multi-valent rare earth ion doped aluminosilicate glass optical fiber

Abstract

Multivalent rare earth ion, Sm+2/Sm+3 was incorporated into aluminosilicate glass fiber using an aerosol delivery technique. Co-doping of trivalent and divalent states of the ions has been spectroscopically confirmed. Irradiated by multi-line CW Ar ion laser of 1 Watt, the fiber showed photoinduced refractive change of 7.6 × 10−5. Bleaching of Sm+2 absorption band was also observed. Photoionization of Sm+2 is believed to be a main cause of the photosensitivity.