Dependence of the nonlinear transmission properties of fused silica fibers on excimer laser wavelength

The nonlinear transmission properties of commercially available fused silica fibers have been determined as a function of excimer laser wavelength. Accurate two-photon absorption coefficients have been measured and the influence of color center formation is discussed. Two-photon absorption and color center formation dominate the ArF and KrF transmission at high intensities while both of these effects are negligible at the XeCl and XeF laser wavelengths.