Abstract

We report on the ability of a thermal poling treatment to be considered as an imprinting process modifying both linear and nonlinear optical properties as well as surface morphology of glassy materials. Micro-patterned second harmonic generation responses have been achieved on a variety of inorganic amorphous materials including bulk or thinfilms of various compositions (silicate, niobate, tantalate …). Using particular micro-patterned anodic electrodes, the poling imprinting process allows a geometry control of second order optical properties in isotropic materials. In addition, large area (up to several centimeters square) can be successfully micro-patterned using this approach.

It has been proven that field enhancement effects within the micro structured anode govern the charge density on the glass surface during the process and thus amplitudes of both implemented electric field (i.e. optical non linearity) and Maxwell stresses (surface topology).

© 2016 Optical Society of America