Femtosecond laser induced photochemistry in materials tailored with photosensitive agents [Invited]

This article deals with the recent advances in photochemistry in optical materials induced by femtosecond laser pulses. The field of investigation of this paper is limited to bulk solid isotropic transparent materials (glasses and polymers), specifically tailored with photoactive agents. The formation mechanisms of laser-induced color centers, nanoclusters, nanoparticles and nanocrystallites are reviewed and argued, in particular the influence of the temperature during or after the laser irradiation. The relation between the photo-induced structures and the optical property modifications are discussed, as well as some applications. (C) 2011 Optical Society of America