Modifications and color markings in glasses by UV laser radiation

Rare earth-, transition metal- and metal doped soda lime-, BK7- and photosensitive lithium aluminosilicate glass are irradiated by pulsed UV laser radiation (wavelength L = 355nm, pulse length tp = 10 to 80 ns) as a function of repetition rate, pulse energy and overlap between successive pulses. The solid state laser radiation is focused into the volume to fluences below the removal-threshold. Depending on the chemical composition, the laser parameters, and the processing variables the laser radiation is absorbed by optically- and photochemically active polyvalent ions with conversion of the optical energy into fluorescence stimulation and ionization as well as color center formation resulting in modifications and/or color markings in the VIS. The absorption and concentration changes of the polyvalent ions are probed by optical spectroscopy and transient absorption spectroscopy. The photochemical and -physical processes such as oxidation and reduction of polyvalent ions and/or color center generation underlying the modifications and color markings are discussed.