UV–Vis, FT-IR and EPR investigation on multi-component germano-silicate glasses for photonics

Photosensitive multi-component germano-silicate glasses, with or without sodium and boron ions in their composition, were studied by means of UV–Vis, FT-IR, and EPR spectroscopy in order to assess the structural changes occurring in the glasses under UV laser irradiation at 248 nm (KrF excimer UV laser). A new absorption band at 285 nm was found for high sodium containing germano-silicate glasses; this band is bleached after UV laser irradiation at 248 nm.