On the reversibility of laser-induced phase-structure modification of glass-ceramics

The possibility of reversible structure modification of two glass-ceramics (photosensitive and in-photosensitive) under CO2 -laser action has been experimentally demonstrated. The virgin glass is converted in to glass-ceramics with use of spontaneous crystallization or photo-thermo-induced one and then under the laser irradiation the glass-ceramics are converted into initial glass state. The rates of such structural modification under laser heating are about 10² - 10³ times higher than under conventional heating in a furnace. The laser technology of structural modification of glass- ceramics is very attractive for development and fabrication of new optical components and devices.