SELF-TRAPPING OF OPTICAL BEAMS IN A SELF-WRITTEN CHANNEL IN A SOLID BULK PHOTOPOLYMER MATERIAL

摘要

We demonstrate theoretically and experimentally that the light can be self-focused and self-trapped in a self-written optical waveguide in a bulk acrylamide/polyvinyl alcohol (AA/PVA) solid photopolymer material volume. The manufacture method, i.e., how to prepare the AA/PVA photopolymer material is detailed. In our experimental observation the refractive index changes induced are permanent. The resulting optical waveguide channel has good physical stability and can be integrated with optoelectronic devices as part of integrated optical systems. The theoretical model developed predicts the formation/evolution of the observed self-written waveguides inside the bulk material. The model involves appropriately discretizing and then numerically solving the paraxial wave equation in Fourier space and the material equation in time space.