Photorefractive processes at near infrared wavelengths

Abstract

Phase conjugation using photorefractive crystals has found many application in areas such as optical processing and distortion correction. The simplest and most elegant configuration (self-pumped phase conjugation, SPFC) allows phase conjugation without the need for additional optics - a single laser beam incident upon a cut, polished crystal induces a refractive index grating which in turn diffracts light to generate the precise phase conjugate of the incident beam. Observation of the effect has been carried out mainly in the visible part of the spectrum where crystal response has tended to be most efficient.
However, with the availability of diode lasers operating at near infrared wavelengths, recent attention has been drawn to the possibility of extending the crystal response to allow observation of SPFC and other photorefractive processes at diode compatible wavelengths. Efficient SPPC has already been observed with reflectivities as high as 72% at 800nm, using a nominally undoped crystal of photorefractive BaTiO₃, and there has been a concerted effort to extend and enhance the response in the near infrared region via the addition of different dopants.

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ORCID for R.W. Eason: orcid.org/0000-0001-9704-2204

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