Laser Writing of Polarization-Dependent Birefringence in Sodium-Borate Glasses

The conditions for the formation of microdomains with polarization-dependent birefringence by a femtosecond laser beam in sodium-borate glasses with different Na2O content were determined. The dependences of the phase shift in the light passing through the birefringent zones on the parameters of laser exposure and on the chemical composition of the glass were determined. It is shown that an increase in the Na2O content leads to a decrease in the minimum number of pulses required to form zones with polarization-dependent birefringence and under certain conditions to the formation of a special type of modification for which the slow axis of birefringence is parallel to the polarization plane of the laser beam.

Automated summary

The study determined the conditions for the formation of microdomains with polarization-dependent birefringence by a femtosecond laser beam in sodium-borate glasses with different Na2O content. It was found that an increase in Na2O content results in a decrease in the minimum number of pulses required to form zones with polarization-dependent birefringence, and under certain conditions, a special type of modification can be formed where the slow axis of birefringence is parallel to the polarization plane of the laser beam.