The Photorefractive Effect

Abstract

The optically induced change of the refractive index of electro-optic crystals, which was discovered over ten years ago in LiNb03, is now referred to as the photorefractive effect (by analogy with photochromism). Progress in our understanding of the microscopic mechanisms which has led to the development of optical recording sensitivities comparable to that of silver halide emulsions is reviewed. Possibilities for application of the effect to optical memories, holographic interferometry, and integrated optics are considered.