The formation of an optical waveguide in silicate glass that contains alkali metal ions is experi mentally studied under electron irradiation at an energy of 50 keV and a doze of 25-50 mC/cm 2 . A gradient waveguide with a maximum variation in the refractive index of 0.01-0.04 is formed in the glass due to irradi ation. It is demonstrated that a variation in the refractive index results from both field migration of alkali metal ions to the region of negative space charge and structural modifications in the glass related to the destruction of glass structure by high energy electrons.
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