Magnetic-field-induced changes in the photorefractive sensitivity of lithium niobate

The effect of a magnetic field on the average photorefractive sensitivity of an undoped LiNbO₃ crystal is studied by phase-mismatched second-harmonic generation. The experimental data obtained show the photorefractive sensitivity to reverse sign as the external magnetic field exceeds B ₁=?0.38±0.04 T. The magnetic field is oriented perpendicular to the crystal optical axis and to the plane of laser radiation polarization. The variation of the photorefractive sensitivity is associated with paramagnetic iron centers, whose photoionization probability depends on the direction of their magnetic moment relative to the optical axis.