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Photorefractive processes at near infrared wavelengths

Photorefractive processes at near infrared wavelengths
Photorefractive processes at near infrared wavelengths
This thesis presents the results of a three year study of the properties and applications of photorefractive materials. Attention is focused in particular on barium titanate, and experimental work examines the photorefractive processes and optical characteristics at near infrared wavelengths around 800nm - an important wavelength range compatible with solid state laser diodes. A comparison of properties is made between crystals of nominally undoped barium titanate and samples with impurity enhanced absorption in the red and near infrared which appear blue in colour.

Throughout the thesis, photorefractive theory is developed to explain the experimental observations, and beam coupling experiments demonstrate energy exchange between laser beams within the photorefractive crystal in order to establish model parameters. Experiments investigating optical phase conjugation using the blue crystals demonstrate effective self-alignment and distortion correction, with high fidelity and good temporal and frequency stability. Wide wavelength response, laser diode compatibility, low power operation and highly efficient reflectivities of up to 76% at 1µm and 38% at 1.064µm make the new blue crystals promising for near infrared applications. Throughout, comparisons are drawn with the undoped crystal. Brightness enhancement schemes are also considered and a phase conjugate fibre laser demonstrated. Coupling of mutually incoherent laser beams is also reported at near infrared wavelengths with the demonstration of a self-aligning holographic interconnect behaving as a phase conjugate mirror with an effective reflectivity of 600%. Using laser diode sources, the wavelength tolerance of the coupling scheme is investigated and the effect of feedback during coupling examined.
Ross, Graeme William
94f2d18a-0991-4457-814b-f8717e846699
Ross, Graeme William
94f2d18a-0991-4457-814b-f8717e846699
Eason, Robert
e38684c3-d18c-41b9-a4aa-def67283b020

Ross, Graeme William (1994) Photorefractive processes at near infrared wavelengths. University of Southampton, Faculty of Science, Doctoral Thesis, 161pp.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

This thesis presents the results of a three year study of the properties and applications of photorefractive materials. Attention is focused in particular on barium titanate, and experimental work examines the photorefractive processes and optical characteristics at near infrared wavelengths around 800nm - an important wavelength range compatible with solid state laser diodes. A comparison of properties is made between crystals of nominally undoped barium titanate and samples with impurity enhanced absorption in the red and near infrared which appear blue in colour.

Throughout the thesis, photorefractive theory is developed to explain the experimental observations, and beam coupling experiments demonstrate energy exchange between laser beams within the photorefractive crystal in order to establish model parameters. Experiments investigating optical phase conjugation using the blue crystals demonstrate effective self-alignment and distortion correction, with high fidelity and good temporal and frequency stability. Wide wavelength response, laser diode compatibility, low power operation and highly efficient reflectivities of up to 76% at 1µm and 38% at 1.064µm make the new blue crystals promising for near infrared applications. Throughout, comparisons are drawn with the undoped crystal. Brightness enhancement schemes are also considered and a phase conjugate fibre laser demonstrated. Coupling of mutually incoherent laser beams is also reported at near infrared wavelengths with the demonstration of a self-aligning holographic interconnect behaving as a phase conjugate mirror with an effective reflectivity of 600%. Using laser diode sources, the wavelength tolerance of the coupling scheme is investigated and the effect of feedback during coupling examined.

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Published date: January 1994
Organisations: University of Southampton, Physics & Astronomy

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 399130
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/399130
PURE UUID: e6411656-81e1-40b7-aa16-de5cafb6dc11
ORCID for Robert Eason: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-9704-2204

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 16 Sep 2016 15:24
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 02:39

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Contributors

Author: Graeme William Ross
Thesis advisor: Robert Eason ORCID iD

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