Photorefractive effect in bulk glass and devices made therefrom
First Claim
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1. A method of altering the refractive index in bulk chalcogenide glasses having an absorption coefficient of about 103 cm-1 at a wavelength defined as the band gap comprising:
- exposing the bulk glass having a thickness greater than about 200μ
to sub-band-gap light for a time sufficient to result in an alteration of said refractive index of the glass.
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Abstract
The photorefractive effect results in a change in the refractive index of bulk chalcogenide glass when it is exposed to certain wavelengths of light, in particular, sub-band-gap light. The effect results in a variety of device structures including a fiber optic faceplate; an optical waveguide; a fiber tap; a lens and a Bragg grating. Methods for fabricating the various devices are described.
24 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method of altering the refractive index in bulk chalcogenide glasses having an absorption coefficient of about 103 cm-1 at a wavelength defined as the band gap comprising:
exposing the bulk glass having a thickness greater than about 200μ
to sub-band-gap light for a time sufficient to result in an alteration of said refractive index of the glass.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of altering the refractive index in bulk chalcogenide glasses having an absorption coefficient of about 103 cm-1 a wavelength defined as the band-gap comprising:
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exposing the bulk glass to sub-band-gap light for a time sufficient to result in an alteration of said refractive index of said glass; and overcoating the altered glass with an overcoat of glass having an absorption coefficient higher the bulk glass. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of altering the refractive index in bulk chalcogenide glasses comprising:
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exposing the bulk glass to sub-band-gap light for a time sufficient to result in an alteration of said refractive index of said glass; and selectively masking the bulk glass to produce a plurality of parallel fiber-like waveguide structures in such glass.
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25. A method of altering the refractive index in bulk chalcogenide glasses comprising:
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exposing the bulk glass to sub-band-gap light for a time sufficient to result in an alteration of said refractive index of said glass; and drawing a fiber of the bulk glass and exposing a central portion thereof to the sub-band-gap light for producing an optical fiber.
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26. A method of altering the refractive index in bulk chalcogenide glasses having an absorption coefficient of about 103 cm-1 at a wavelength defined as the band gap comprising:
exposing the bulk glass having a thickness greater than thin films to sub-band-gap light for a time sufficient to result in an alteration of said refractive index of the glass. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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