Infrared holographic recording in LiNbO3:Fe and LiNbO3:Cu

Abstract Holograms may be recorded in photorefractive LiNbO3:Fe and LiNbO3:Cu with infrared light pulses (wavelength λ = 1064 nm, pulse duration tp = 20 ns), if the crystals are previously or simultaneously illuminated with green light pulses (λ = 532 nm, tp = 15 ns). Refractive index changes and time constants are studied for crystals with different iron and copper concentrations after thermal reduction and oxidation treatments. A model explaining this effect is discussed.