Time-resolved microscopy for optimizing in-volume glass processing using ultra short laser pulses

Time-resolved in-situ microscopy is used to gain insights for tailoring material modifications inside a transparent material. The types of modifications are linked to the free electron densities within the laser-induced plasma. Densities below 1019 cm-3 lead to defect states and higher densities around 1020 cm-3 to disruptions and cracks. In this process the plasma ignition and densification crucially depends on the pulse duration.