Laser writing of waveguides in photosensitive glasses

Results of direct UV-laser writing and of self-writing in glasses are surveyed comprehensively in terms of structure and evolution dynamics of the induced waveguides, absorption and geometry of the samples, and laser parameters applied in the experiments. In addition, the underlying mechanisms of photosensitivity that give rise to the observed refractive index changes are discussed. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.