NonLinear Effects in Photorefractive Crystals

摘要

Photorefractive crystals are materials whose index of refraction is altered under illumination by light. These crystals are both photoconductive and electrooptic. When a nonuniform light intensity pattern is present in the material, photocarriers are generated and redistributed, creating space charge electric fields which change the refractive index locally. These crystals are ideal media for real time holography, and applications include wave amplification, image processing, phase conjugation, and laser beam steering for optical interconnects. This thesis investigates many novel aspects of the photorefractive effect. A study of nonreciprocal behavior identifies a new important consideration in the theory of two-wave mixing between counterpropagating beams-namely the presence of a photocurrent, or frequency detuning between the beams results in a spatially varying beam coupling. A numerical treatment of these important cases provides the first systematic theoretical assessment the control of nonreciprocal transmission and phase shift in lithium niobate, a representative photorefractive crystal. A comparison between crystal types suggests candidates for nonreciprocal applications such as an optical diode. Theses. (mjm)