Ultimate intensities of light in silica fibres: stimulated Raman scattering as the main thermal source of optical destruction

It is shown that, under certain conditions, the intensity of light in silica fibres is mainly limited by stimulated Raman scattering. An estimate is made of the threshold intensity that leads to irreversible destruction of the fibre due to overheating. The dependence of the threshold intensity on physicochemical properties of the material and the geometric dimensions of the fibre core is determined.