Multicolour laser recording of optical information in silicate glasses with europium, silver and cerium ions

Abstract

We have shown experimentally that the effect of cw UV radiation and pulsed UV radiation from a nanosecond laser as well as thermal treatment of glasses with europium, silver and cerium ions (photosensitizer) allow the local formation of the areas in glass, having different luminescence colour or the areas of different colouration. These effects are caused by a change in the charge state of molecular clusters and the formation of silver nanoparticles possessing plasmon resonance in glass. This allows recording of multicolour optical information by means of a focused beam from a UV laser, both near the glass surface and within its volume. We have revealed the influence of chlorine on the formation and properties of silver nanoparticles in glass in the course of thermal treatment following the laser impact.