Laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy on fused silica of high UV-transmission

Optical components for the deep UV spectral region are often produced from fused silica. In interaction with intense pulsed laser radiation as realized by excimer lasers such elements show induced luminescence and induced absorption. The induced luminescence and absorption are important properties to describe the stability of optical elements under laser interaction. The experimental set up to registrate laser induced luminescence spectra and time dependence is described. Results to demonstrate the complexity of the interaction processes in the glasses and first results to describe laserinduced ageing of the samples are given.