Photorefractive

Photorefractive is a nonlinear optical effect seen in certain crystals and other materials that respond to light by altering their refractive index. This change in refractive index is dependent on the intensity of the light, leading to a variety of phenomena including beam coupling, self-focusing, and phase conjugation.

History

The photorefractive effect was first observed in the 1960s, but it was not until the 1970s that the underlying mechanisms were understood. The term "photorefractive" was coined by Pochi Yeh in 1978.

Mechanism

The photorefractive effect occurs when light induces a change in the refractive index of a material. This change is caused by the movement of electrons within the material, which alters the distribution of electric charge and thus the refractive index. The change in refractive index is proportional to the intensity of the light, meaning that brighter light causes a larger change.

Applications

Photorefractive materials have a wide range of applications in optics and photonics, including holography, optical data storage, and optical computing. They are also used in adaptive optics systems, which correct for distortions in light caused by the atmosphere or other factors.

See also

• Nonlinear optics
• Holography
• Optical data storage
• Optical computing
• Adaptive optics

References

Photorefractive Resources
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