One-dimensional modulation instability in biased two-photon photorefractive–photovoltaic crystals

Abstract

The one-dimensional modulation instability of broad optical beams in biased two-photon photorefractive–photovoltaic crystals is investigated under steady-state conditions. Our analysis indicates that the modulation instability growth rate depends on the external bias field, the bulk photovoltaic effect and the ratio of the intensity of the incident beam to that of the dark irradiance. Moreover, our results show that this modulation instability growth rate is the same as that in two-photon photorefractive–photovoltaic crystals under open circuit conditions in the absence of an external bias field, and the modulation instability growth rate in two-photon biased photorefractive–nonphotovoltaic crystals can be predicted when the bulk photovoltaic effect is neglected.