Improvement of photorefractive properties in Hf:Fe:LiNbO3 crystals with various [Li]/[Nb] ratios

Photorefractive properties of Hf:Fe:LiNbO3 crystals with various [Li]/[Nb] ratios have been investigated at 488 nm wavelength based on the two-wave coupling experiment. High diffraction efficiency and large recording sensitivity are observed and explained. The decrease in Li vacancies is suggested to be the main contributor to the increase in the photoconductivity and subsequently to the induction of the improvement of recording sensitivity. The saturation diffraction efficiency is measured up to 80.2%, and simultaneously the recording sensitivity of 0.91 cm/J is achieved to in the Hf:Fe:LiNbO3 crystal grown from the melt with the [Li]/[Nb] ratio of 1.20, which is significantly enhanced as compared with those of the Hf:Fe:LiNbO3 crystal with the [Li]/[Nb] ratio of 0.94 in melt under the same experimental conditions. Experimental results definitely show that increasing the [Li]/[Nb] ratio in crystal is an effective method for Hf:Fe:LiNbO3 crystal to improve its photorefractive properties.     

Growth and photorefractive properties of near-stoichiometric In:Fe:Cu:LiNbO3 crystals

The near-stoichiometric LiNbO₃ crystal co-doped with In₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, and CuO has been grown from a Li-rich melt (Li/Nb = 1.38, atomic ratio) by the Czochralski method in air atmosphere for the first time. The OH⁻ absorption spectra were characterized to investigate the structure defects of the crystals. The appearance of the 3506 cm⁻¹ absorption peak manifests that the composition of the grown crystal is close to the stoichiometric ratio. The photorefractive properties were also measured by the two-wave coupling experiments. The results show that the near-stoichiometric In:Fe:Cu:LiNbO₃ crystal has a larger refractive index change, higher recording sensitivity and larger two-wave coupling gain coefficient than those obtained in the congruent In:Fe:Cu:LiNbO₃ crystal under the same experimental conditions. The material of near-stoichiometric In:Fe:Cu:LiNbO₃ crystal is a promising candidate for blue photorefractive holographic recording.     

Influence of post-growth treatment on the holographic storage properties of In:Fe:LiNbO3

The congruent In (3 mol%):Fe (0.03 wt%): LiNbO₃ crystal has been grown by Czochralski method in air. Some crystal samples were reduced in Li₂CO₃ powder, and others were oxidized in Nb₂O₅ powder. The defects and ions location in crystal were investigated by infrared (IR) transmission spectrum. The photorefractive properties were measured by two-wave coupling and light-induced scattering resistance experiments. In the oxidized sample, the photovoltaic effect was the dominant process during recording. However, for the as-grown sample as well as the reduced, the photorefractive effect was governed by the diffuse field and the photovoltaic field, together. In addition, the reduction treatment made the photoconductivity increase, which resulted in shorter erasure time and lower diffraction efficiency, but higher light-induced scattering resistance ability. The oxidation treatment caused the inverse effect.     

Structure and optical damage resistance of Zn:Mn:Fe:LiNbO3 crystals

The new non-volatile holographic storage materials, Zn:Mn:Fe:LiNbO₃ crystals, were prepared by Czochralski technique. Their microstructure was measured and analyzed by infrared (IR) transmission spectra. The optical damage resistance of Zn:Mn:Fe:LiNbO₃ crystals was characterized by the transmitted beam pattern distortion method. It increases remarkably when the concentration of ZnO is over a threshold concentration. Its value in Zn(7.0 mol%):Mn:Fe:LiNbO₃ crystal is about three orders of magnitude higher that in Mn:Fe:LiNbO₃ crystal. The photoinduced birefringence change was measured by the Sénarmont's method. It decreased with ZnO concentration increasing. The dependence of the defects on the optical damage resistance was discussed.     

Effect of [Li]/[Nb] ratios on the photorefraction and scattering properties in In: Fe: Cu: LiNbO3 crystals at 488 nm wavelength

The high sensitivity, fast response and the high quality reconstructions are observed in various [Li]/[Nb] ratios In:Fe:Cu:LiNbO₃ crystals at 488 nm wavelength based on the two-beam coupling experiment. The strong blue photorefraction is contributed by the two-center effect and the remarkable characteristic of being in phase between the two gratings recorded in shallow and deep trap centers. The blue photorefraction is enhanced significantly with the increasing of [Li]/[Nb] ratios under the same experimental conditions. The sensitivity S" is reduced to 0.46 J/cm, simultaneously the response time is as fast as 4.4 s and the erase phenomenon is not obvious in In:Fe:Cu:LiNbO₃ crystals which [Li]/[Nb] ratio is 0.986 in crystal. Increasing [Li]/[Nb] ratios improve the damage-resistant ability of the crystals, but lead to a more serious beam fanning. Experimental results definitely show that the near-stoichiometric In: Fe: Cu: LiNbO₃ crystal becomes a promising candidate for blue photorefractive holographic recording.     

Influence of post-growth treatment on the optical properties of In:Ce:Cu:LiNbO3 crystals

Congruent In (3 mol%):Ce:Cu:LiNbO₃ crystals have been grown by the Czochralski method in air. Some crystal samples were reduced in Li₂CO₃ power, and others were oxidized in Nb₂O₅ power. The structure of crystals was studied by an infrared transmittance spectrum. The resistance ability to optical damage and the photorefractive properties were measured by light-induced scattering experiments and two-beam coupling, respectively. It has been found that the reduction treatment increased the photoconductivity , which resulted in decreased erasure time and diffraction efficiency, but higher light-induced scattering resistance ability. The oxidation treatment caused the inverse affect. Finally, the nonvolatile holographic recording in In:Ce:Cu:LiNbO3 crystals is realized.     

Defect structure and optical damage resistance of Hf:Fe:LiNbO3 crystals

A series of Hf:Fe:LiNbO₃ crystals were grown by the Czochralski technique with various doping concentrations of HfO₂. Their defect structures were analyzed by the UV-visible absorption spectra and infrared absorption spectra. The optical damage resistance of Hf:Fe:LiNbO₃ crystals was measured by the photo-induced birefringence change and the transmitted light spot distortion method. The results show that the optical damage resistance ability of Hf:Fe:LiNbO₃ crystals enhances remarkably with the HfO₂ concentration increasing when the HfO₂ concentration is lower than its threshold concentration (4 mol%). However, when the HfO₂ concentration exceeds its threshold concentration, the optical damage resistance ability of the crystals returns to decrease. This unusual behavior is explained by using the photovoltaic field produced in the crystals.     

Defect structure and nonvolatile hologram storage properties in Hf:Fe:Mn:LiNbO3 crystals

A series of Hf:Fe:Mn:LiNbO₃ crystals with various levels of HfO₂ doping were grown by Czochralski technique. The infrared spectra and ultraviolet spectra were measured and discussed to investigate their structure and defects. The optical damage resistance was characterized by the transmitted beam pattern distortion method. The nonvolatile two-color holographic recording experimental results showed that the recording speed was faster with the increase of HfO₂ doping concentration and at the same time little loss of nonvolatile diffraction efficiencies could be achieved.     

Preparation and holographic storage properties of tri-doped Mg:Mn:Fe:LiNbO3 crystals

Doping MgO, MnO and Fe₂O₃ in LiNbO₃ crystals, tri-doped Mg:Mn:Fe:LiNbO₃ single crystals were prepared by the conventional Czochralski method. The UV-vis absorption spectra were measured and the shift mechanism of absorption edge was also investigated in this paper. In Mg:Mn:Fe:LiNbO₃ crystal, Mn and Fe locate at the deep level and the shallow level, respectively. The two-photon holographic storage is realized in Mg:Mn:Fe:LiNbO₃ crystals by using He-Ne laser as the light source and ultraviolet as the gating light. The results indicated that the recording time can be significantly reduced for introducing Mg²⁺ in the Mg:Mn:Fe:LiNbO₃ crystal.     

Forced oscillator model of dynamic spatial charge field in the reduced Zn:Fe:LiNbO3 crystal

Holographic data storage is promised to be the next-generation optical storage technology for many years. The Zn:Fe:LiNbO₃ crystal is studied widely because of its promising holographic storage properties. The forced oscillator model is used to explain the self-erasing phenomenon in the reduced Zn:Fe:LiNbO₃ crystals. It is showed that the total spatial charge field is dominated by two kinds of carrier with different respond time, which are electron and hole, respectively. The cooperative action of two kinds carrier induces that the total charge field non-monotonically varies with the recording time. The same diffraction efficiency of hologram with equal exposure energy is realized by the self-erasing property. The precision of the optical correlation recognition based on holographic storage will be improved.     

The effect of In doping on optical properties of Fe:LiNBO3 crystals

Fe:LiNbO₃ and In:Fe:LiNbO₃ crystals were grown by Czochralski method. The absorption spectra were measured to investigate their defect structure. The photo damage resistance and photorefractive properties were measured. The photo damage resistance of the In:Fe:LiNbO₃ crystal in which the In concentration is above the threshold value is one order of magnitude higher than that of the Fe:LiNbO₃ crystal. The mechanisms of the violet shift of the absorption edge and the enhancement of the photorefractive effect of In:Fe:LiNbO₃ crystals were investigated.     

Effects of forming gas annealing on LiNbO3 single crystals

Z-cut congruent LiNbO₃ single crystals were annealed in 95%N₂+5%H₂ at high temperatures. X-ray diffraction showed that 2θ of (0 0 0 6) peak is obviously reduced by 0.6° and 1.0° for the samples annealed at 600 and 900 °C, respectively. A new peak appears at the high-energy side of O 1s spectrum in X-ray photoelelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses, and the leakage current is greatly increased. It is proposed that hydrogen is incorporated in LiNbO₃ single crystals through forming gas annealing at temperatures up to 900 °C and exists in LiNbO₃ as a proton bound to an oxygen ion through O-H bond with its electron donated.     

Structure and optical damage resistance of near-stoichiometric Zn:Fe:LiNbO3 crystals

A series of near-stoichiometric Zn:Fe:LiNbO₃ crystals were grown by the high-temperature top-seed solution growth (HTTSSG) method from stoichiometric melts doped with 6 mol% K₂O. Infrared (IR) transmission spectra were measured and discussed in terms of the defect structure of the near-stoichiometric Zn:Fe:LiNbO₃ crystals. The results of the transmitted beam pattern distortion method show that the optical damage resistance of the near-stoichiometric Zn:Fe:LiNbO₃ crystals increases rapidly when the ZnO concentration exceeds a threshold value. The threshold value concentration of ZnO of the near-stoichiometric Zn:Fe:LiNbO₃ crystals is much lower than that of the congruent LiNbO₃ crystals. The dependence of the optical damage resistance on the defect structure of the near-stoichiometric Zn:Fe:LiNbO₃ crystals are discussed, and the holographic recording properties of the near-stoichiometric Zn:Fe:LiNbO₃ crystals are investigated.     

Optical fabrication of three-dimensional photonic lattices in LiNbO3:Fe crystals with a single amplitude mask

We fabricate three-dimensional nonlinear photonic lattices in iron-doped lithium niobate photorefractive crystal for the first time by a single amplitude mask. The experimental setup of this method is very simple and flexible. The period of the lattices can be dominated easily. We analyze the three-dimensional photonic lattices by plane wave guiding and far field diffraction pattern imaging. The induced photonic lattices can exist stably for a long time in the photorefractive crystal.     

Effect of wavelength of sensitizing light on holographic storage properties in LiNbO3:Fe:Ni crystal

By sensitizing with 514 nm green light, 488 nm blue light and 390 nm ultraviolet light, respectively, recording with 633 nm red light, effect of wavelength of sensitizing light on holographic storage properties in LiNbO₃:Fe:Ni crystal is investigated in detail. It is shown that by shortening the wavelength of sensitizing light gradually, nonvolatile holographic recording properties of oxidized LiNbO₃:Fe:Ni crystal is optimized gradually, 390 nm ultraviolet light is the best as the sensitizing light. Considering the absorption of sensitizing light, to obtain the best performance in two-center holographic recording we must choose a sensitizing wavelength that is long enough to prevent unwanted absorptions (band-to-band, etc.) and short enough to result in efficient sensitization from the deep traps. So in practice a trade-off is always needed. Explanation is presented theoretically.     

Nonvolatile photorefractive holographic recording in Sc:Ce:Cu:LiNbO3

In this paper experimental studies of nonvolatile photorefractive holographic recording in Ce:Cu:LiNbO₃ crystals doped with Sc(0,1,2,3 mol%) were carried out. The Sc:Ce:Cu:LiNbO₃ crystals were grown by the Czochralski method and oxidized in Nb₂O₅ powders. The nonvolatile holographic recording in Sc:Ce:Cu:LiNbO₃ crystals was realized by the two-photon fixed method. We found that the recording time of Sc:Ce:Cu:LiNbO₃ crystal became shorter with the increase of Sc doping concentration, especially doping with Sc(3 mol%), which exceeds the so-called threshold, and there was little loss of nonvolatile diffraction efficiencies between Sc(3 mol%):Ce:Cu:LiNbO₃ and Ce:Cu:LiNbO₃ crystals.     

掺镁铌酸锂亚微米结构畴反转的研究

研究了掺镁铌酸锂(MgO：LiNbO₃)的极化特性及其畴壁运动的性质,通过调节多个脉冲外加电场来控制畴壁的运动,在背向反转效应作用下,反转畴发生劈裂,制备出均匀的掺镁铌酸锂亚微米周期畴结构,并分析探讨了掺镁铌酸锂亚微米结构的成因及其反转机理. 关键词： 亚微米畴结构 掺镁铌酸锂 背向反转     

Study of near-infrared nonvolatile two-center holographic recording in LiNbO3:Fe:Rh crystal

The near-infrared nonvolatile holographic recording has been realized in a doubly doped LiNbO₃:Fe:Rh crystal by the traditional two-center holographic recording scheme, for the first time. The recording performance of this crystal has been investigated by recording with 633 nm red light, 752 nm red light and 799 nm near-infrared light and sensitizing with 405 nm purple light. The experimental results show that, co-doped with Fe and Rh, the near-infrared absorption and the photovoltaic coefficient of shallow trap Fe are enhanced in this LiNbO₃:Fe:Rh crystal, compared with other doubly doped LiNbO₃ crystals such as LiNbO₃:Fe:Mn. It is also found that the sensitizing light intensity affects the near-infrared recording sensitivity in a different way than two-center holographic recording with shorter wavelength, and the origin of experimental results is analyzed.     

Theoretical explanation of g factors for Ti ions in LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 crystals

The EPR g factors g_// and g_⊥ for Ti³⁺ ions at the trigonal octahedral Li⁺ sites of LiNbO₃ and LiTaO₃ crystals are calculated from the third-order perturbation formulas of g factors for 3d¹ ion in trigonal symmetry. In the calculations, the crystal-field parameters are obtained from the structural data by using the superposition model. The calculated values are in reasonable agreement with the observed values. The results are discussed.