Self-pumped phase-conjugation properties of cerium-doped BaTiO_3 crystals in the near infrared

Abstract

Studies of a new Ce-doped BaTiO(3) crystal as an efficient self-pumped phase conjugator in the near infrared are presented. The internal beam production during the establishment of self-pumped phase conjugation (SPPC) is closely observed, and the corresponding mechanisms of SPPC are identified accordingly. When the incident beam is in an a-face-incidence geometric arrangement, it is observed for the first time that SPPC mechanism has a transition from stimulated photorefractive backscattering and four-wave mixing to total internal reflection when λ is varied from 706 to 733 nm. Variations of the SPPC reflectivity with the λ, incident angle, and position of the input beam have been investigated, and a high reflectivity of approximately 80% has been obtained. In addition, SPPC reflectivity of approximately 40% is obtained when the incident beam enters the crystal by the +c face, and a variation with λ of optical beam patterns in the crystal has also been observed. Qualitative explanations of the phenomenon of SPP mechanism transition with λ that will be very useful in practical applications are given.