UV nanosecond laser-induced birefringence in LBG glasses

Abstract

In this paper, we present results on UV pulsed laser-induced birefringence in La₂O₃–B₂O₃–GeO₂ (LBG) glasses. Samples were irradiated at a wavelength of 355 nm delivered by an Nd–YAG laser operating in the nanosecond regime. After irradiation, glasses were analyzed by micro-Raman spectroscopy and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Raman spectra show figures characteristic of a light polarization rotation effect in agreement with an anisotropic distribution of the scattering intensity observed by SAXS measurements. These results are interpreted as the interaction of the glass with the electromagnetic field of the UV beam (UV poling).

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to J.P. Simon (ESRF-D2AM beam line) and the ESRF staff for SAXS experiments and to the CECOMO (Lyon) for the use of the Raman facilities.