Holographic recording in specially doped lithium niobate crystals

Abstract

A set of twelve specially doped lithium niobate crystals were grown to test the effect of the dopant on holographic recording in the crystals via the photorefractive effect. The crystals were doped with Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Rh, Tb, Fe:Ce, Fe:Cr, and Fe:Mn. The transmission spectra was measured for each crystal and holograms have been written in each of the crystals with wavelengths from 457 nm to 671 nm. The wavelength sensitivity, scattering, and stability of the holograms varied substantially among the crystals. A qualitative description of the hologram's properties and a comparison of sensitivities between the crystals will be presented.