Photosensitivity and UV-induced optical loss of silica optical fibers exposed to very high pressure hydrogen environments

We placed silica optical fibers into hydrogen environments of up to 30,000 psi (2,041 atm) and characterized their photosensitivity and UV-induced optical loss. We detail the relationship between the hydrogen content in the fiber and the UV-induced index change for a delivered radiation dose. We also observed high UV-induced optical loss (greater than 30 dB/cm) in these fibers and studied the cause of this loss.