Optical characterization of Mn:YAlO_3 : material for holographic recording and data storage

Abstract

Photoinduced coloration and the holographic grating recording associated with it are experimentally studied in Mn-doped yttrium orthoaluminate $(\mathrm{Mn}:{\mathrm{YAlO}}_3).$ High diffraction efficiency is demonstrated in visible and in infrared light. The diffraction efficiency at 514.5 nm exceeds 50%. The strong energy exchange between the writing beams observed in a two-wave mixing experiment suggests that diffraction in $\mathrm{Mn}:{\mathrm{YAlO}}_3$ is due to mainly nonlocal holographic effect and an electro-optical effect. $\mathrm{Mn}:{\mathrm{YAlO}}_3$ is shown to be a promising material for holographic recording and optical storage.