Formation of dissipative structures at hologram recording in CaF2crystals with color centers

Abstract

The structurization of holographic planes in holograms recorded in CaF 2 crystal with color centers was found. The structurization is apparent in the formation of spiral bundles, which pierce the holographic planes. It testifies to self-organization of color centers in these planes. This process is believed to be linked with colloidal centers, 2D metal islets in the crystal lattice, whose formation and decay during hologram recording at temperatures of 150–190 °C may be considered as a dynamic phase transition that facilitates the generation of stable spatially inhomogeneous (dissipative) structures in the form of bundles. The bundles arise during hologram recording process and remain frozen on cooling of the crystal after the process is finished.