Effect of reduction/oxidation treatment on blue photorefraction in In:Fe:Cu:LiNbO₃ crystals

Abstract

In:Fe:Cu:LiNbO 3 crystals with reduced/oxidized treatments were prepared by the Czochralski method. The defect structure was analyzed by the UV-Visible absorption spectra. The blue photorefractive properties, such as the refractive index change, response time, recording sensitivity, dynamic range as well as two-wave coupling gain coefficient, were also investigated at 488 nm wavelength using the two-wave coupling experiment. Comparing the as-grown and oxidized In:Fe:Cu:LiNbO 3 crystals, the reduced sample has the highest recording sensitivity and largest dynamic range. Meanwhile, the high diffraction efficiency is still maintained. Experimental results definitely show that reduction treatment is an effective method to improve the blue photorefractive performance of In:Fe:Cu:LiNbO 3 crystals.