The invention includes a method of incorporating fluorine into a preform that may be used to produce an optical article. A method that may be used to practice the invention includes a method of making an optical fiber preform. The method includes reacting a fluorine containing precursor in a flame of a combustion burner without forming a soot, thereby forming a fluorine doping atmosphere. A further method that may be practiced to practice the invention includes the step reacting at least a fluorine containing precursor in a flame of a combustion burner, wherein the precursors reacted in the flame are substantially devoid of the element of silicon, thereby forming a fluorine containing atmosphere for the doping of a soot preform. An additional method that may be used to practice the invention includes the step of reacting at least one precursor in the flame of a combustion burner, wherein said precursors comprise at least one fluorine containing compound and the precursors are substantially free of any silicon containing compound, and the additional step of directing a reaction product of said reacting step toward a soot preform.