Holographic Recording with the Use of Bistable Centers in CdF2

Abstract

We show that bistability and metastability of In and Ga impurities in CdF2 crystals can be efficiently used in writing volume holographic gratings. Phototransformatioii of these impurities from the localized to the hydrogenic state leads to a large change of the local polarizability of the host, and thus a significant change of the refractive index. While CdF2:In can be used only at low temperatures (below 150 K), CdF2 :Ga crystals are suitable for room temperature recording. PACS numbers: 42.40.Lx, 42.40.Ht, 78.20.Ci, 78.50.Ge