Absorption and luminescence spectroscopy of fused silica by multiple pulses irradiation at 355 nm

In this work, the effects of laser irradiation on fused silica at 355 nm are investigated by using transient absorption spectroscopy and luminescence spectroscopy. Our result shows that no transient absorption or luminescence in the spectra range from 400 nm to 600 nm is observed when laser energy density is below the damage threshold. When the laser energy density reaches the threshold, an initial damage site will be created. After subsequent laser pulses irradiation, the damage size grows. At the same time, the intensity of the transient absorption and luminescence spectra at the damage site also raises remarkably with the laser pulse number increasing. The absorption band from 420 nm to 520 nm is probably related to the absorption of impurity such as metal ion of iron, cerium and copper. Laser modified fused silica exhibits intense broad luminescence bands due to oxygen-deficiency centers at 444 nm and 580 nm.