Photosensitivity studies of Sm<formula><roman>+2</roman></formula>/Sm<formula><roman>+3</roman></formula> doped aluminosilicate fiber

A permanent index change of 0.0051% was induced in Sm+2/Sm+3 doped aluminosilicate fiber by irradiating 2W of multi-line output from an Ar ion laser. The photosensitivity was detected by measuring a shift in LP11 mode cutoff wavelength. Bleaching of a broad absorption band in the visible was also observed. The origin of the photosensitivity in the Sm doped optical fiber is the bleaching of Sm+2 ion absorption bands enhanced by multiphoton processes.&#169; (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.