Detection of small phase modulation using two-wave mixing in photorefractive crystals

Two-wave mixing of phase-modulated beams in photorefractive crystals under a dc electric field is studied both theoretically and experimentally. Based on the vectorial theory of light diffraction in crystals of cubic symmetry, we derived an analytical expression that describes the phase demodulation in crystals with an arbitrarily oriented electric field. The phase-demodulation technique was used for estimation of the space-charge field created in photorefractive crystals. It is shown that the space-charge-field grating created in GaP and Bi₁₂TiO₂₀ crystals is much smaller than that predicted from the one-level band-transport model of the photorefractive effect. Received: 12 December 2000 / Revised version: 8 February 2001 / Published online: 27 April 2001     

Electrooptic effect for cold neutrons in photorefractive materials

First experimental evidence for the existence of an electrooptic effect for cold neutrons in ⁷LiNbO₃ is reported and discussed. The effect is based on the fact that in certain photorefractive crystals a light-induced space-charge field can be generated which causes a modulation of the density via the inverse piezoelectric effect. From such density structures, induced by the internal electric field, cold neutrons can be diffracted. Received: 13 November 1998 / Revised version: 21 December 1998 / Published online: 12 April 1999     

Reduced space-charge fields in near-stoichiometric LiTaO3 for blue, violet, and near-ultraviolet light beams

The wavelength dependence of the space-charge field as induced in near-stoichiometric LiTaO₃ crystals is investigated by measuring the bulk photogalvanic effect and the photoconductivity. LiTaO₃ crystals of composition nearer to stoichiometry exhibit a pronounced reduction of the saturated space-charge field, which results from a larger increase in the photoconductivity relative to the photogalvanic effect. Especially, at near-UV wavelengths, the saturated space-charge field of the order of 0.1 kV/cm reaches a minimum that is two orders of magnitude lower than typical values observed in undoped near-stoichiometric LiNbO₃. Received: 11 July 2002 / Revised version: 2 September 2002 / Published online: 20 December 2002 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +41-1/633-1056, E-mail: mojca@fiz.uni-lj.si     

Charge transport properties of undoped congruent lithium niobate crystals

Time-resolved light-induced birefringence measurements based on a phase compensation technique are used to determine the charge transport properties of congruent, nominally-undoped lithium niobate crystals (LiNbO₃). Some of the crystals are conventionally oxidized. The steady-state space-charge field E _pv, the bulk photovoltaic coefficient β, and the photoconductivity σ _ph are determined in the intensity range (30–30 000) W/cm². The photovoltaic coefficient β increases by one order of magnitude over this intensity range, the space-charge field E _pv even by two orders of magnitude. We discuss the results in the context of the known one- and two-center charge transport models for LiNbO₃. The experimental findings presented here are of relevance for the long-standing problem of optical damage in such crystals, which inhibits their use in high-intensity applications like nonlinear optics.     

Wideband optical phase modulator half-wave voltage measurement technique based on phase modulation optical link

We measured the half-wave voltage V_π of LiNbO₃ phase modulators in the broadband frequency range by analyzing the gain of phase modulation interference demodulation optical link. This is a new high practical value measurement method for half-wave voltage of LiNbO₃ phase modulators in wideband frequency range, and can accurately predict the nonlinear frequency characteristics of phase modulation optical link.     

On the satellite extinction in incommensurate phase

For ZnP₂ and CdP₂ crystals in incommensurate phase selective superstructure X-ray reflections are observed. As shown a phason and amplitudon excitation modes do not result in this selective extinction of satellites. Apparently, it is associated with a modulation wave form in the incommensurate phase. The X-ray spectrum peculiarity of incommensurate crystals is discussed taking into consideration systematic and selective extinction of satellites.     

Higher-order space-charge field effects on the self-deflection of two-photon bright photovoltaic spatial solitons

We investigate numerically the effects of higher-order space-charge field on the self-deflection of bright photovoltaic spatial solitons in two-photon photovoltaic photorefractive crystals under steady-state conditions. The expression for an induced space-charge electric field, including higher-order space-charge field terms is obtained. The dynamical evolution equation is built in which the effects that arise from these higher-order terms are considered. Numerical results indicate that bright photovoltaic solitons can bend towards both the same direction as the crystal's c-axis and the opposite direction, respectively. Specifically, self-deflection cannot occur for bright photovoltaic solitons if the strength of the photovoltaic field and the intensity of the input beam are appropriately selected. Relevant examples are provided.     

Strong and fast phase modulation for quantitative analysis of photorefractive gratings

A new approach for studying photorefractive gratings in two-wave mixing experiments by a phase modulation technique is presented. The introduction of a large-amplitude, high-frequency sinusoidal phase modulation in one of the input beams blurs the interference pattern and provides powerful harmonic signals for accurate measurements of the grating diffraction efficiency η and the output phase shift ϕ between the transmitted and diffracted waves. The blurring of the light fringes can be used to suppress the higher spatial harmonics of the grating, allowing a space-charge field with sinusoidal profile to be recorded. Although the presence of such a strong phase modulation affects the beam coupling in a rather complicated way, it is shown that for the special case of equal intensity input beams, the effect of the phase modulation on η and ϕ is reduced to a weakening of the coupling strength. The potentialities of the technique are illustrated in a study of refractive-index waves excited by running interference patterns in a Bi₁₂TiO₂₀ crystal. Expressions for the diffraction efficiency and the output phase shift are derived and used to match numerically calculated curves to the experimental data. The theoretical model is supported by the very good data fitting and allows the computation of important material parameters. PACS 42.40.Ht; 42.40.Kw; 42.70.Nq     

Modulation instability of quasi-plane-wave optical beams in biased photorefractive-photovoltaic crystals

We investigate the modulation instability of quasi-plane-wave optical beams in biased photorefractive－photovoltaic crystals by globally treating the space-charge field. The modulation instability growth rate is obtained, which depends on the external bias field, on the bulk photovoltaic effect, and on the ratio of the optical beam's intensity to that of the dark irradiance. Our analysis indicates that this modulation instability growth rate is identical to the modulation instability growth rate studied previously in biased photorefractive－nonphotovoltaic crystals when the bulk photovoltaic effect is negligible for shorted circuits, and predicts the modulation instability growth rate in open- and closed-circuit photorefractive－photovoltaic crystals when the external bias field is absent.     

Multiline coherent oscillation in photorefractive crystals with two species of movable carriers

The coherent oscillation, because of nearly degenerate four-wave mixing in photorefractive crystals with two types of movable charge carriers, occurs at two spectral lines symmetrically shifted with respect to the pump frequency. Consequently the output oscillation exhibits the high contrast intensity modulation. The frequency separation of two oscillation modes (and modulation frequency of the output intensity) depend on the incident light intensity and spatial frequency of the developing grating. A model is presented explaining this type of oscillation by the two-maxima shape of the gain spectrum in crystals with sufficiently different relaxation times of two space-charge gratings, one formed by movable electrons and the other one by movable holes. The experimental data for coherent oscillator with tin hypothiodiphosphate (Sn₂P₂S₆) are in reasonable quantitative agreement with the calculations. Received: 12 November 1998 / Revised version: 11 January 1999 / Published online: 7 April 1999     

Linear detection of phase-modulated optical signals with ac-biased cubic photorefractive crystals: Influence of coupling effects

We apply the theory of vectorial wave coupling in cubic photorefractive crystals subjected to ac-field to describe the transformation of a momentary phase changes of one of the input beams into the output intensity modulation (the so-called grating translation technique). In contrast to the previous studies, we take into account the change of the space-charge field amplitude across the crystal owing to the coupling effects. The theory developed is employed to optimize the conditions for the linear signal detection under polarization filtering for the transverse and longitudinal optical configurations. We also analyze the possibility of the linear detection without polarization filtering. PACS 42.70.Nq; 42.62.Cf; 42.87.Bg     

Real time phase modulation measurements in liquid crystals

We propose real time phase measurements in liquid crystals cells using Young's interferometer constructed with a new principle with possibility to control the distance between two point sources. The optical interference optical pattern is detected by a bicell photo-detector in a back Fourier focal plane. A phase modulation controlled by a monopixel liquid crystals’ cell placed in a reference arm of interferometer is observed as a dynamic shift of the fringes’ pattern in spatial domain. Concept of signals’ demodulation in the Fourier focal plane will be described using a new approach to the demodulation signals. In this work we evaluate the demodulation condition of our setup and we present measurements of a dynamic phase response for nematic liquid crystals and antiferroelectric liquid crystals cells.     

Photorefractive hologram writing with high modulation depth in photovoltaic media under different boundary conditions

Photorefractive recording response to sinusoidal intensity pattern in photovoltaic media under different boundary conditions, namely, open-circuit, crystal-resistor-circuit, short-circuit and crystal-voltage supply-circuit, are investigated by solving steady-state Kukhtarev equations numerically. In high modulation depth m limit and when photovoltaic field becomes sufficiently large, we find that both the magnitude and imaginary part of fundamental space-charge field E₁ as a function of m may transit from superlinear increment to sublinear increment for short-circuit condition. The role of photovoltaic field in holographic storage and two-wave mixing is also discussed in comparison with an earlier experimental literature [G. Cook et al., Opt. Commun. 192 (2001) 393]. We further generalize Gu et al.’s remark on photovoltaic field and dc space-charge field, which is for small m only [C. Gu et al., J. Appl. Phys. 69 (1991) 1167], to whole range of m in the limit donor density much larger than ionized donor density that the effect of photovoltaic field cannot be cancelled or considered as an externally applied field for an arbitrary non-zero m.     

Domain inversion in LiNbO3 and Zn-doped LiNbO3 crystals by the electron-beam irradiation of the nonpolar Y-surface

Individual domains and domain gratings were fabricated on nonpolar Y-cuts of LiNbO₃ and LiNbO₃-Zn crystals by electron beam irradiation. The domains which nucleated in the irradiation points are frontally growing along the direction +Z within a thin (of about several microns) surface layer. The regularities of this motion are discussed in the framework of the approach to formation of space-charge fields under e-beam charging of insulators. The obtained dependency of the domain length on the exposure time permits us to propose the viscous-friction mechanism for the observed frontal domain growth. The velocity of the frontal growth in LiNbO₃-Zn is higher than in LiNbO₃ obviously due to a decreased number of pinning centers at the Nb-antisites. In LiNbO₃-4 %Zn crystals planar domain gratings were fabricated by means of point-to-point irradiations along the X- and Z-directions with specified distances between the irradiation points. It is shown that the domain gratings are generated by a total field of point charges $ \vec{E} = \sum\nolimits_{i = 1}^{n} {\vec{E}_{i} } $ , where E _i is the space-charge field induced in any irradiation point, and n is the number of points. Some preliminary estimates indicate that the frontal growth of domains under e-beam irradiation occurs at fields E < E _c.     

Magnetoelectric coupling induced multistate magnetization

Complex oxides provide an ideal playground for exploring the interplay among the fundamental degrees of freedom: structural (lattice), electronic (orbital and charge), and magnetic (spin). With trends toward device miniaturization, there is growing interest in combining electronic and magnetic properties into multifunctional thin-film materials for potential applications in novel versatile devices. Here, we report growth of ferromagnetic nanostructures on ferroelectric ($1?x$)[Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃]???x[PbTiO₃] (PMN-PT) single crystals. With careful control of material composition and application of electric field direction and amplitude, we realized stabilization of both monoclinic and orthorhombic phases in the PMN-PT single crystals with the intrinsic rhombohedral phase. Multistate magnetization modulation has been realized through phase transformation control in the ferroelectric component. This finding promises multistate information recording through magnetoelectric effect.     

Low-temperature phase transition in Ba2TiGe2O8

Previous work on Ba₂TiGe₂O₈ crystals has shown an unusual low-temperature (～ 223 K on cooling, ～ 273 K on heating) phase transition. Precession x-ray photographs on Ba₂TiGe₂O₈ single crystals show an incommensurate modulation along b*, and, for the first time, also along a*. Single crystal intensity data confirm the average structure in space group Cmm2. There is positional disorder in the pyrogermanate groups, and this is the probable cause for the modulated structure. The low-temperature phase transition is proposed to be a lock-in transition, with the modulation along a* locking in at a value of 1/3. Several properties, as well as other unusual features of the low-temperature phase transition, are discussed in light of the proposed lock-in transition. Domain studies show that the ferroelastic domains are unstable in the low-temperature phase.     

Amplitude modulation and demodulation of an electromagnetic wave in magnetised acousto-optic diffusive semiconductor plasmas: Hot carrier effects

In communication processes, amplitude modulation is very helpful to save power using a single band transmission. Using the hydrodynamical model of semiconductor plasma analytical investigations are made for the amplitude modulation as well as demodulation of an electromagnetic wave incorporating carrier heating (CH) effects in acousto-optic magnetised semiconductor plasma. The CH effects add new dimensions in the present analysis. Analysis are made under different wave number regions over a wide range of cyclotron frequencies. It is found that incorporation of CH effects modifies the amplitude modulation and demodulation processes effectively. Numerical estimations are made for III–V semiconductor crystal irradiated by pump wave of frequency 1.6×10¹³ s^?1. Complete absorption of the waves takes place in all the possible wavelength regimes when the cyclotron frequency ω_c becomes nearly equal to ω₀, the pump frequency on neglecting the collision term in modulation/ demodulation indices.     

Jahn-Teller transitions in Yb<Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis>=V,P) stimulated by a strong magnetic field

The effect of an external magnetic field directed along various symmetry axes of a crystal on Jahn-Teller-type structural phase transitions (quadrupole ordering) is studied in YbPO₄ and YbVO₄ crystals with zircon structure. In the absence of a magnetic field, the crystals are in a precritical state and do not exhibit a spontaneous quadrupole ordering. It is shown that, in a field H ∥ [110], the strain susceptibility χ_γ increases with the field and, at a sufficiently high field strength, an orthorhombic lattice deformation along the [100] axis arises in the crystals under study; i.e., a stimulated Jahn-Teller phase transition of γ symmetry occurs. Using interaction constants determined from independent experiments, we calculated phase diagrams and anomalies in the magnetic and magnetoelastic properties of the YbPO₄ and YbVO₄ crystals near the stimulated phase transitions, investigated the effect of various pairwise interactions on them, and analyzed possible experimental observations of the predicted effects.     

Steady-State Spatial Solitons in Low-Amplitude Regime in Biased Photorefractive-Photovoltaic Crystals

A theory of the space-charge field is improved in biased photorefractive-phorovoltaic crystals. Steady-state spatial solitons are obtained in the low-amplitude regime in biased photorefractive-photovoltaic crystals. When photovoltaic effect is neglected, these solitons are screening solitons, and their space-charge field is the space-charge field of screening solitons. When the external field is absent, these solitons are photovoltaic solitons for the closed or the open circuit and we also predict that gray solitons exist in photorefractive-photovoltaic crystals, and their space-charge field is the space-charge field of photovoltaic solitons.     

Coherent signal beam amplification in two-wave mixing experiments with photorefractive Bi12SiO20 crystals

The amplification of the input signal beam in two-wave mixing experiments with photorefractive Bi₁₂SiO₂₀ crystals is achieved when an additional phase shift is established between the photoinduced index modulation (phase volume hologram) and the incident fringe pattern. This stationary phase shift is introduced by either moving the crystal or the interference fringes at a constant speed. The transferred intensity is measured versus the applied electric field, fringe spacing and crystal velocity. The crystallographic orientation and the relative displacement with respect to the applied electric field polarity determine the amplitude of the energy transfer. For the first time in this crystal, signal beam amplification is reached for an applied field E₀ > 8 kV cm^?1 and a crystal or fringe displacement speed around 5 μm s^?1 at the green line (λ = 514 nm) of an argon laser.