Optical recording of surface relief on amorphous selenium

Abstract Surface reliefs in the form of dots and surrounding rings were recorded by focused laser beam on bulk amorphous selenium samples with an aim to separate the possible contributions of pure light- and thermally stimulated effects to the relief formation process. It is concluded, that heating by the light beam can be cross-linked with light induced mass transport in the gradient of illumination and temperature fields and so with surface relief formation, influencing its efficiency and quality. Such thermal effects should be taken into account in light sensitive chalcogenide glasses with low softening temperatures and possible crystallization effects.