Laser heterodyne measurements of photo-induced refractive-index changes in amorphous As-S films

A differential-type heterodyne interferometer has been successfully utilized for studying the refractive-index changes in As-S films under illumination. The measuring system can detect phase changes down to 1° in angle in accuracy and sensitivity. It is confirmed that illumination of the films involves two distinct factors: a thermal and an optical one. The index changes are caused only by the optical effect. The time-dependent characteristics of the index changes are explained to be closely related to the photo-darkening effect.