Self-diffraction of light upon optical poling of glass

The self-diffraction of light appearing upon optical poling of bulk glass samples is studied. During poling, a refractive-index grating is accumulated in the medium, on which one of the beams or both beams diffract efficiently. A theoretical expression is obtained for the amplitude of diffracted radiation. The results of the experimental study of this phenomenon in oxide glasses are in agreement with the theory, which explains the formation of a spatially periodic electric field in the medium by the coherent photogalvanic effect. The self-diffraction of light can be efficiently used for studying the physical properties of purely optical poling of media.