Linear writing of waveguides in bulk photorefractive crystals through a two-step polarization sequence

• Published in: Journal of optics. A, Pure and applied optics Vol. 10; no. 6; pp. 064005 - 064005 (4)
• Main Authors: Pierangelo, A, DelRe, E, Ciattoni, A, Palange, E, Agranat, A J, Crosignani, B
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.06.2008; Institute of Physics
• Subjects: Beam trapping, self-focusing and defocusing; self-phase modulation; Dynamics of nonlinear optical systems; optical instabilities, optical chaos and complexity, and optical spatio-temporal dynamics; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Nonlinear optics; Optical elements, devices, and systems; Optical solitons; nonlinear guided waves; Optical waveguides and coupleurs; Optics; Physics; Gaussian beam; Spatial soliton; Photorefractive effect; Intensity distribution; photorefraction; Optical self-focusing; Photorefractive crystal; Optical solitons; spatial solitons; Nonlinear dynamical systems; Nonlinear optics; Optical waveguides
• ISSN: 1464-4258; 1741-3567
• DOI: 10.1088/1464-4258/10/6/064005

We demonstrate a technique that allows the optical imprinting of waveguides in the bulk of photorefractive crystals without resorting to nonlinear beam dynamics, self-focusing, or solitons, making use of the beam reshaping properties of the pattern deposited by the intensity distribution of a diffracting Gaussian beam. The procedure is made possible using a polarization-resolved scheme that, in distinction to previously reported methods based on temperature cycles, can be implemented in ferroelectrics both in the polar and in the centrosymmetric phase.