The ferric chloride doped polymers change their refractive index under
UV irradiation. The Fe:PVA is sensitive to ferric chloride concentrat
ion, molecular weight of PVA, and recording beam power. By Mossbauer i
nvestigations we tried to correlate the Fe2+ / Fe3+ ratio, as well as
the temperature dependence of the energetical parameters with the assu
med mechanisms which involve both the valence state of iron and a cros
s-linking reaction of PVA matrix.