Ultraviolet photosensitive response in an antimony-doped optical fiber.

A silica optical fiber doped with Sb is fabricated with a refractive-index profile that is comparable with standard single-mode fiber. In D(2)-loaded samples, we observe UV photosensitivity with an initial refractive-index-modulation growth rate six times higher than that of the equivalent Ge-doped standard fibers. Enhanced temperature stability of the Bragg grating strength up to 200 degrees C is also observed. Grating growth kinetics in the Sb-doped fiber is compared with those of other Ge-doped photosensitive fibers.