Creating refractive index changes in glass by up-conversion of rare earth ions

• Main Author: SAMSON BRYCE N
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 13.07.2004
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS, THE OPTICAL OPERATION OF WHICH ISMODIFIED BY CHANGING THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIUM OF THEDEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF THE INTENSITY,COLOUR, PHASE, POLARISATION OR DIRECTION OF LIGHT, e.g.SWITCHING, GATING, MODULATING OR DEMODULATING; FREQUENCY-CHANGING; INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIRCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; MEASURING; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS; OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS, OR APPARATUS; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICS; PHYSICS; TECHNIQUES OR PROCEDURES FOR THE OPERATION THEREOF; TESTING

A method for creating refractive index changes in a substrate is provided by irradiating the substrate with infrared (IR) or visible light radiation. Ultra-violet (UV) radiation is generated in the substrate responsive to the IR or visible light radiation such that the change in the refractive index of the substrate is generated responsive to the UV radiation. Preferably, the substrate comprises a glass doped with rare earth ions.