Forming optical waveguides in silicate glasses under electron irradiation

摘要

It is experimentally shown that electron-beam irradiation of silicate glasses causes a layered structure having increased refractive index and possessing waveguide properties to be formed in the near-surface layer of the glass. This effect is associated with a local increase of the refractive index of the glass as a result of the field migration of positive metal ions into the region of negative space charge.