Laser writing waveguides up to the sample edge

Femtosecond laser written waveguides in glass can be useful for three dimensional photonic networks. At the edge of the sample, optical aberrations disrupt the laser focus making waveguide fabrication challenging. Therefore, it is typical to polish back the glass sample after laser processing to reveal the waveguides, such that they are suitable for butt coupling to optical fibre. We present an optical technique which allows laser write of the waveguides to the edge of the sample removing the post-process polishing step. Theoretical and experimental results are given for different glasses and laser writing strategies.