Light-induced self-written effects in bulk chalcogenide glass

A waveguide can be self-written by a beam of light propagating in a photosensitive material. We report the first observation of self-writing effects in bulk chalcogenide glass and investigate the influences of different writing beam sizes and powers. We observe increases in refractive index of 2.5×10-4 due to illumination at 1047 nm in Ce-doped Ga-La-S. Simulations of the self-writing process show a good agreement with the experimental results. This verifies our numerical model and allows the dynamics of this process to be explored. Using this knowledge, we predict the experimental parameters and conditions required to write waveguides, tapers, and ultimately complex three-dimensional (3-D) structure

Self-writing a depressed index waveguide in bulk glass

We use numerical simulations to predict the first complex self-written structure in a bulk material. A depressed-index "pipe" structure, which guides light like a channel, is created using a Laguerre-Gaussian "donut" beam

Self-written channels in ion-exchanged waveguides; experiment and modelling of photosensitivity

We demonstrate that a channel waveguide can be self-written in ion-exchanged Nd-doped glass. The initial stages of the waveguide evolution are used to develop a phenomenological model of the photosensitivity process occurring within this material

Self-written tapers and waveguides in bulk compound glass

A waveguide can be self-written by a beam of light in a photosensitive material. We report here the first observations of self-written tapers in bulk chalcogenide glass

Observation of light-induced refractive index reduction in bulk glass and application to the formation of complex waveguides

We show that illuminating bulk Nd-doped Bk7 glass at 488 nm induces a decrease in refractive index of order 10-4. Using this index change we experimentally demonstrate that it is possible to use self-writing to enhance the divergence of a Gaussian beam. Here simulations with a Laguerre-Gaussian ‘donut’ writing beam show that a depressed-index ‘pipe’ structure can be created. We demonstrate that these complex waveguide structures can subsequently be used to guide light of different wavelengths