SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1983
STP37250S

Effects of Deuterium Treatments on the Optical Properties of Fused Silica

Source

Flame produced fused silica, the process used by all American manufacturers, contains a large amount of OH. The fundamental OH vibration in SiO2 is at 2.75 μm and its first overtone is at 1.38 μm. Much of the optical absorption at 1.3 μm is due to the wing of the 1.38 μm absorption band. Stone and Burrus[1] described a deuterium treatment given optical fibers to transform the OH absorption to OD whose fundamental is at 3.72 μm and first overtone at 1.85 μm. Here we describe some related treatments given to Suprasil II window samples. Spectral traces show that the 1.38 μm absorption peak is diminished while a new absorption peak appears at 1.85 μm. Similar changes appear in the spectrum between 2 and 4 μm. 1.3 μm laser rate calorimetry performed before and after treatment on the sample showing the most complete H↔D exchange exhibited a drop in absorption value to about 1/5. Thus we conclude that over 80% of the optical absorption in Suprasil II at 1.3 μm is due to the OH molecule. The method offers a way of improving the performance of flame produced fused silica windows used at 1.3 μm.

Author Information

Kumar, B
Fernelius, NC
Detrio, JA
Price: $25.00
Contact Sales
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Developed by Committee: F01
Pages: 268–272
DOI: 10.1520/STP37250S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4865-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0708-3