Abstract:
Photochromic lithium niobate crystals containing iron and either manganese or copper are useful for recording phase holograms in the photosensitive state of the crystals, which holograms can be permanently fixed and read out without loss in the quality of the image obtained therefrom over extended periods.
Abstract:
Phase holograms recorded in single crystal electro-optic materials such as undoped or doped lithium niobate and barium sodium niobate doped with iron and molybdenum are fixed so that the holographic pattern is not erased upon readout of the holographic information contained in the crystal. One method for fixing the pattern consists of heating the crystal at an elevated temperature either while or subsequent to writing the holographic pattern in the crystal. An alternate method for fixing the pattern consists of exposing the crystal to ionizing radiation during recording of the holographic information in the crystal.