Fluorescence and second-harmonic generation correlative microscopy to probe space charge separation and silver cluster stabilization during direct laser writing in a tailored silver-containing glass

Gautier Papon (1, 2) , Yannick Petit (1, 2) , Nicolas Marquestaut (1) , Arnaud Royon (1) , Marc Dussauze (3) , Vincent Rodriguez (3) , Thierry Cardinal (2) , Lionel Canioni (1)

1 LOMA - Laboratoire Ondes et Matière d'Aquitaine
2 ICMCB - Institut de Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Bordeaux
3 ISM - Institut des Sciences Moléculaires

We report on fluorescence and second-harmonic generation correlative microscopy of femtosecond direct laser-induced structures in a tailored silver-containing phosphate glass. We compare the spatial distributions of the related permanent electric field and silver clusters. The latter appear to be co-localized where the associated electric potential ensures favorable reduction-oxidation conditions for their formation and stabilization. Space charge separation is shown to occur prior the cluster formation. The associated electric field is a key parameter for silver clustering, thanks to electric field assisted silver ion motion. Future photonic structures combining 3D laser-structured fluorescence and nonlinear optical properties in such tailored glass will require an optimal control of the induced electric field distribution.

Mots clés: Phosphates; Glass; Silver; Fluorescence; Second-harmonic generation; Microscopy; Laser materials processing; Laser-induced chemistry; Fluorescent and luminescent materials; Optical storage-recording materials; Nonlinear optical devices

Domaines: Matériaux; Optique [physics.optics]

Gautier Papon, Yannick Petit, Nicolas Marquestaut, Arnaud Royon, Marc Dussauze, et al.. Fluorescence and second-harmonic generation correlative microscopy to probe space charge separation and silver cluster stabilization during direct laser writing in a tailored silver-containing glass. Optical Materials Express, 2013, 3 (11), pp.1855-1861. ⟨10.1364/OME.3.001855⟩. ⟨hal-00906443⟩