THE EFFECT OF HEAT ON THE METAL PHOTODISSOLUTION PROCESS IN AMORPHOUSAS40S60 FILMS

The effect of heat on the Ag photodissolution rate in as-deposited As4 0S60 chalcogenide films is reported. Raising the temperature of an As4 0S60 film by similar to 100 degrees C during exposure increases the ra te of Ag photodissolution by at least a factor of 10, The photodissolu tion process has an activation energy of similar to 0.24 eV and this w as found to be independent of whether laser or white light was used to stimulate the effect. Lateral Ag migration was found to be negligible at about 110 degrees C and a grating was successfully recorded by mas k exposure at this temperature.