A refractive index grating has been side written in the core of a hydrogen loaded germanosilicate optical fiber using a phase mask and 351 nm light from an Ar ion laser, the longest wavelength yet reported, to the best of our knowledge, for a grating of this type. The grating strength was ∼1.25 dB, indicating an index change of∼2×10−4.The fiber was sensitized by low temperature hydrogen loading followed by a brief exposure to aCO2laser, resulting in the formation of high levels of germanium–oxygen deficiency centers. Fluorescence changes and UV transmission changes in hydrogen loaded germanosilicate glasses exposed to 325 nm and combined 351/364 nm radiation are also reported. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.