Polarization-dependent laser-induced giant mass transport in glassy semiconductors

Direct experimental evidence of the validity of the two-phase model of chalcogenide glass has been obtained. It has been shown that the polarization-light irradiation of glassy semiconductor films induces giant mass transport in the direction perpendicular to the polarization of the incident light. It has been revealed that a surface relief appears in the irradiated films. The shape of the relief depends on the laser polarization state. A macroscopic model qualitatively describing the observed phenomenon is presented.