Light-induced ionic processes in optical oxide glasses

Abstract

The density of optical glasses is changed by the influence of light capable of generating color centers in these materials. Such defect generation is not only an electronic process, but an atomic displacement is also necessary. The strong localization of electronic and vibrational excitations in the glass network leads to the high efficiency of sub-threshold defect generation. Secondary ionic processes lead to the changes of basic glass properties (light refractive index, density, mechanical strength, etc.); thus, it is possible to use optical glasses as light detectors for appropriate wavelengths.