Abstract
We report on fluorescence and second-harmonic generation correlative microscopy of femtosecond direct laser-induced structures in a tailored silver-containing phosphate glass. We compare the spatial distributions of the related permanent electric field and silver clusters. The latter appear to be co-localized where the associated electric potential ensures favorable reduction-oxidation conditions for their formation and stabilization. Space charge separation is shown to occur prior the cluster formation. The associated electric field is a key parameter for silver clustering, thanks to electric field assisted silver ion motion. Future photonic structures combining 3D laser-structured fluorescence and nonlinear optical properties in such tailored glass will require an optimal control of the induced electric field distribution.
Highlights
Femtosecond direct laser writing (DLW) in homogeneous glasses gives three-dimensional access to local material modifications at the micro-nanoscale, at the root of chemical [1], mechanical [2] as well as optical [3] contrasts
We report on fluorescence and second-harmonic generation correlative microscopy of femtosecond direct laser-induced structures in a tailored silver-containing phosphate glass
We compare the spatial distributions of the related permanent electric field and silver clusters
Summary
Femtosecond direct laser writing (DLW) in homogeneous glasses gives three-dimensional access to local material modifications at the micro-nanoscale, at the root of chemical [1], mechanical [2] as well as optical [3] contrasts Such approach already demonstrated an extremely broadband range of fundamental mechanisms and original applications [4,5]. Nonlinear optical contrast has been reported, in a smaller proportion, with third-harmonic generation (THG) [8] and effective second-harmonic generation (SHG), even in an initially centro-symmetric material, thanks to local space charge separation Such buried static electric field induced second-harmonic generation (EFISHG) has largely been reported under thermal poling leading to intense electric fields up to 109 V.m−1 [9,10,11], with a typical thickness of the poled region ranging from 1 to few tens of microns. Such work provides a new interpretation of the sequence of mechanisms at play during fs DLW in our tailored glass
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