Erasure kinetics and spectral dependence of the photorefractive effect in Fe:LiNbO_3

Abstract

The erasure kinetics of holographic gratings has been studied as a function of the erasing wavelength in Fe:LiNbO₃. Sample self-absorption has been rigorously taken into account and is a relevant point. After such a correction, even those apparently nonexponential decays can be nicely fitted to simple exponential ones. This correction also results in a more reliable spectral dependence of the erasing efficient transitions. The photorefractive writing spectrum has been obtained by the compensator technique. Writing and erasing show different spectral behaviors, which are briefly discussed.