Nondestructive 3-D imaging of femtosecond laser written volumetric structures using optical coherence microscopy.

Nondestructive three-dimensional imaging of femtosecond laser-written buried structures is demonstrated using optical coherence microscopy providing lateral and depth resolution on a micron scale. This high speed technique, which requires no sample preparation, enables the visualization of volumetric structural modification created deep in transparent dielectric medium with high signal/noise contrast. Images of buried void structures with dimensions as large as 190 μm in length were obtained without shadowing effects impugning the image fidelity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]