Catching light in its own trap

Abstract

Self-written structures form dynamically in photosensitive media, in which the refractive index changes permanently under the influence of light that propagates through it. Self-written waveguides have been observed in a variety of materials including glasses and polymers. Detailed theoretical analysis of self-writing in germanosilicate glasses is in good agreement with experiments. We review recent experimental and theoretical progress in this field and indicate likely areas of future progress.