Real-time dynamic holographic display realized by bismuth and magnesium co-doped lithium niobate

Dahuai Zheng,Shaolin Chen,Weiwei Wang,Yongfa Kong,Da Qu,Romano Rupp,Shuolin Wang,Jingjun Xu,Hongde Liu,Shiguo Liu

doi:10.1063/1.5107460

Dahuai Zheng, Shaolin Chen + Show 8 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5107460

Copy DOI

Abstract

Particular attention has been given to updatable or dynamic holographic displays in recent years. The absence of ideal recording materials hampered the realization of their commercial applications. A lithium niobate crystal codoped with 1.0 mol. % bismuth and 6.0 mol. % magnesium has been grown with a diameter of 2-in. A moderately large saturation diffraction efficiency of 26% can be achieved, which corresponds to a refractive index change of 2.45 × 10−5. However, the photorefractive response time turns out to be only 13 ms, and the photorefractive sensitivity reaches 1.63 × 102 cm/J. This is by a factor of 104 larger than the one of congruent lithium niobate. The codoped crystal was used to demonstrate a real-time holographic display with a refresh rate of 30 Hz, which is a significant step forward for inorganic crystals in holographic display applications. Band structure calculations indicate that the dopants influence the charge distribution of the oxygen atoms which may be the clue to the origin of their excellent properties.

Highlights

Some researchers tried to realize holographic displays based on organic polymers.9,10 This approach has many advantages, such as easy preparation of materials on a large scale and high saturation diffraction efficiency.11,12 aging, low glass transition temperature, and the need to apply high voltages make the process unreliable and application of organic polymers unattractive.13–17 crystal growth technology has made much progress, and photorefractive crystals have become increasingly attractive as recording media for dynamic holographic displays
A lithium niobate crystal codoped with 1.0 mol. % bismuth and 6.0 mol. % magnesium has been grown with a diameter of 2-in
Crystal growth technology has made much progress, and photorefractive crystals have become increasingly attractive as recording media for dynamic holographic displays

Summary

Introduction

Some researchers tried to realize holographic displays based on organic polymers.9,10 This approach has many advantages, such as easy preparation of materials on a large scale and high saturation diffraction efficiency.11,12 aging, low glass transition temperature, and the need to apply high voltages make the process unreliable and application of organic polymers unattractive.13–17 crystal growth technology has made much progress, and photorefractive crystals have become increasingly attractive as recording media for dynamic holographic displays. Lithium niobate (LiNbO3, LN), called the “silicon of photonics,” is a well-known versatile crystal with excellent electro-optic, acousto-optic, piezoelectric, nonlinear optical, and photorefractive properties, that make it a promising material for integrated optics, but for holography too.18–21 large photorefractive response times and low sensitivity impeded its usage in dynamic holographic displays.

Results

Conclusion