Evaluation of alkali-rich glasses for poling

Summary form only given. A method to assess the dielectric strength and sodium ion mobility of alkali-rich glasses for thermal poling has been described. The dielectric strengths obtained for Pyrex, BK7, soda lime glass and crown glass are consistent with values from the literature, and the linearity of the voltage versus time characteristics is consistent with theory. The dielectric strength found for SFL6 is ten times lower than that of the other glasses, which is supported by measurement of its relative optical damage threshold.