title: Visible laser self-focusing in hybrid glass planar waveguides.
abstract: We report that self-focusing occurs with simultaneous self-inscription of a cylindrical waveguide when 514.5-nm light from a cw argon-ion laser propagates in a solgel-derived silica methacrylate hybrid glass planar waveguide. Spatially localized free-radical polymerization of methacrylate substituents is initiated in the path of the guided wave. This causes intensity-dependent refractive-index changes that lead to self-lensing and focusing. A channel waveguide evolves in the matrix, which supports fundamental and higher-order optical modes and suppresses diffraction of the beam.
authors.forename: Kalaichelvi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saravanamuttu
authors.forename: Mark P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Andrews