Self-trapping of laser beams in polymeric layers

Theoretical and experimental investigations of the self-trapping of laser beams in polymers containing polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) matrix with addition of phenanthrenequinone (PQ) molecules is presented. The photoinduced generation of the waveguiding channels based on the modulation of the refractive index is theoretically and experimentally investigated yielding a strong correlation between the intensity of the beam and its diameter. The self-focusing generates straight channels within the polymer which can guide light beams.