Patent ID: 8176752
Filing Date: 2012-05-15
Classification: C03B,C03C

Abstract:
1. A method of making a silica glass article, the silica glass article having a saturated induced absorption, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a silica glass article, the silica glass article having a plurality of Si—O defects that form E′ centers when exposed to ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength of less than about 250 nm; b. providing molecular hydrogen to remove at least a portion of the plurality of Si—O defects by forming SiH at each of the Si—O defects in the silica glass article; and c. providing molecular hydrogen to react with E′ centers formed by photolysis of SiH in the silica glass article before exposing the silica glass article to ultraviolet or deep ultraviolet radiation, wherein the silica glass article has a saturated induced absorption at wavelengths of less than about 250 nm when exposed to ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength of less than about 250 nm.