An optical device includes an optical material comprising active dopant ions and absorber dopant ions spaced apart from the active dopant ions. The active dopant ions are provided to absorb a first radiation and convert a portion of the first radiation into sensible heat. A concentration profile of the absorber dopant ions is selected to absorb a second radiation different from the first radiation and optionally the first radiation in at least one direction of the optical material so as to control a refractive index profile in the at least one direction of the optical material. In another embodiment, a method of controlling a refractive index profile in an optical material includes exciting active dopant ions in the optical material with a first radiation, the active dopant ions converting at least a portion of the first radiation into sensible heat; and exciting absorber dopant ions in the optical material with a second radiation to control a refractive index profile in at least one direction of the optical material.