Possibility of formation of optical waveguides by laser and electron beam bombardment of thin glassy chalcogenide semiconductor films

An experimental investigation was made of the formation of directional waveguides by a laser or electron beam bombardment of thin evaporated glassy chalcogenide semiconductor films. When the change in the refractive index was maximized, it was possible to form optical waveguides with radii of curvature down to 0.1 mm and with bending losses of 0.2 dB/cm. Spatial separation of the guided modes was observed when the waveguide film was excited at an angle to the sloping edge of the film.