Self-Processing of Surface-Relief Gratings in Photosensitive Hybrid Sol-Gel Glasses

Abstract

Sol-gel glasses that self-process to form surface-relief gratingsare described. A method is presented by which, upon UV illumination of acrylate-modified silica–titania sol-gel glass thin films through a contact amplitude mask, constrained densification takes place and surface corrugations are formed (see Figure). No post-treatment is required.