Optically Produced Arrays of Planar Nanostructures inside Fused Silica

V. R. Bhardwaj, E. Simova, P. P. Rajeev, C. Hnatovsky, R. S. Taylor, D. M. Rayner, and P. B. Corkum
Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 057404 – Published 7 February 2006

Abstract

Linearly polarized femtosecond light pulses, focused inside fused silica to an intensity that leads to multiphoton ionization, produce arrayed planes of modified material having their normal parallel to the laser polarization. The planes are 10nm thick and are spaced at λ/2 in the medium for free space wavelengths of both 800 and 400 nm. By slowly scanning the sample under a fixed laser focus, order is maintained over macroscopic distances for all angles between the polarization and scan direction. With the laser polarization parallel to the scan direction we produce long-range Bragg-like gratings. We discuss how local field enhancement influences dielectric ionization, describe how this leads to nanoplane growth, why the planes are arrayed, and how long-range order is maintained.

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  • Received 28 April 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.057404

©2006 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

V. R. Bhardwaj1,*, E. Simova1, P. P. Rajeev1, C. Hnatovsky2, R. S. Taylor3, D. M. Rayner1,†, and P. B. Corkum1,‡

  • 1Steacie Institute for Molecular Sciences, National Research Council, 100 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, K1A 0R6, Canada
  • 2Department of Physics, University of Ottawa, 150 Louis Pasteur, Ottawa, K1N 6N5, Canada
  • 3Institute for Microstructural Sciences, National Research Council, 1200 Montreal Rd., Ottawa, K1A 0R6, Canada

  • *Present address: Department of Physics, University of Ottawa, 150 Louis Pasteur, Ottawa, K1N 6N5, Canada.
  • Electronic address: david.rayner@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
  • Electronic address: paul.corkum@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

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Issue

Vol. 96, Iss. 5 — 10 February 2006

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