Open AccessUltrafast laser writing of homogeneous longitudinal waveguides in glasses using dynamic wavefront correction
Author(s) -
Cyril Mauclair,
Alexandre Mermillod–Blondin,
N. Huot,
Éric Audouard,
Razvan Stoian
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.16.005481
Subject(s) - optics , wavefront , laser , refractive index , ultrashort pulse , materials science , flexibility (engineering) , deformable mirror , homogeneous , dielectric , physics , optoelectronics , statistics , mathematics , thermodynamics
Laser writing of longitudinal waveguides in bulk transparent materials degrades with the focusing depth due to wavefront distortions generated at the air-dielectric interface. Using adaptive spatial tailoring of ultrashort laser pulses, we show that spherical aberrations can be dynamically compensated in optical glasses, in synchronization with the writing procedure. Aberration-free structures can thus be induced at different depths, showing higher flexibility for 3D processing. This enables optimal writing of homogeneous longitudinal waveguides over more significant lengths. The corrective process becomes increasingly important when laser energy has to be transported without losses at arbitrary depths, with the purpose of triggering mechanisms of positive refractive index change.