Recording on As₂S₃ glassy films by pulsed and continuous illumination - Optical evaluation and comparison

In an experimental investigation, photosensltivity was evaluated for continuous and pulsed illumination at a wavelength of 532 nm. Since exposure to light results in photoinduced structural changes that are associated with changes in the refractive index of the material, the recording characteristics can be optically traced without any additional treatment, such as etching or other chemical processes. Measurements performed by interierometric methods and diffraction effects Indicate an increase in photosensltivity by a factor of about 70 for exposure with pulses of 10 ns, as compared to continuous wave recording.