TRANSMISSION OF XECL EXCIMER LASER-PULSES THROUGH OPTICAL FIBERS - DEPENDENCE ON FIBER AND LASER PARAMETERS

Measurements of the transmission of XeCl excimer laser pulses (308 nm) through optical all-silica fibers are reported. The observed photodeg radation effects during long time irradiation are dependent on the las er energy density and the laser repetition rate. Also the influence of the fiber drawing parameters and fiber geometry have been investigate d. Absorption spectra of the fibers in the wavelength range from 200 n m to 400 nm before and after the irradiation with the excimer laser gi ve some insight in the physical reasons for the changes in transmissio n properties. A spectral analysis of the fiber fluorescence has been p erformed.