Diffraction study of volume holographic gratings in dispersive photorefractive material for femtosecond pulse readout

Based on the modified Kogelnik diffraction efficiency equation, the diffraction intensity spectrum and the total diffraction efficiency of volume gratings in photorefractive media are studied systematically. Taking photorefractive InP:Fe crystal as an example, the effect of the grating parameters and the pulse width on the diffraction properties are presented, in particular under the influence of crystal material dispersion. Under the combined effects, the diffraction pulse profiles and the total diffraction efficiency are shown. Also, the diffraction properties with and without crystal material dispersion are compared. These studies indicate that the properties of the diffraction beams can be controlled by the holographic grating parameters; this property can be used for pulse shaping applications.