Phase contrast using photorefractive LiNbO(3):Fe crystals.

We theoretically and experimentally study phase contrast using a photorefractive LiNbO(3):Fe crystal sheet and realize the high-performance phase contrast operation using C-cut LiNbO(3):Fe crystal sheets in which the photovoltaic effect plays an important role. We estimate the maximum photovoltaic field in LiNbO(3):Fe using the phase contrast method.