Abstract: Substantial improvements in photorefractive device lifetimes are provided by control of electron migration which results in the decay of gratings in photorefractive materials due to diffusion and other effects. A new class of photorefractive devices using compensating electronic and ionic gratings having relatively low efficiency but nonetheless usable gratings is provided by arranging the gratings to be reflective in a wavelength band outside the photo-excitation band of the photorefractive material, as by using an infrared operating wavelength. Longer lifetimes in high efficiency gratings are achieved by constant or periodic illumination of photorefractive materials to assure uniform charged distribution of electrons and maintenance of the ionic backbone grating.

Abstract: A laser utilizes feedback from a volume holographic grating used as a wavelength standard to lock the laser output wavelength to its desired value. This feedback can be non-optical, wherein the holographic filter output is used to actively control the wavelength through an external control mechanism. This feedback can also be optical, wherein a volume hologram reflection grating is used to generate optical feedback into the laser gain.

Abstract: A new type of holographic recording in photorefractive crystals is disclosed, termed orthogonal data storage, in which counterpropagating, reflection mode holograms are wavelength multiplexed to form gratings lying along a common axis. It is shown that this configuration provides substantial improvements in data storage capacity in comparison to prior art systems and that higher coupling coefficients are achieved. In consequence, not only storage of data but a wide range of other devices including wavelength selective filters, lenses and optical correlation systems are disclosed. Further, methods of writing and processing metastable images are disclosed which substantially improve the strength of the gratings that are permanently developed in the medium. These methods include advantageous use of electrical potentials and photovoltaic properties, together with different interrelationships during processing.

Abstract: A method of writing plane holographic gratings Bragg-matched for reflection in the infrared in a photorefractive material using shorter wavelength light through a face perpendicular to the grating planes. The writing beam wavelength is selected to be within the photorefractive sensitivity range of the crystal and the angles are chosen relative to the wavelength to define a reflection grating with a period such that counter-propagating reflection occurs at the desired IR wavelength. For reflection gratings at different wavelengths, either the transmission or the reflection mode geometry may be used. In the transmission mode, the writing beams are incident on the same side face while in the reflection made the writing is on opposite faces in an off-axis (non-counter-propagating) configuration. Anti-reflection coatings of the appropriate wavelengths are used on the crystal surfaces to reduce reflection losses and improve the diffraction efficiency of the grating.

Abstract: A new type of holographic recording in photorefractive crystals is disclosed, termed orthogonal data storage, in which counterpropagating, reflection mode holograms are wavelength multiplexed to form gratings lying along a common axis. It is shown that this configuration provides substantial improvements in data storage capacity in comparison to prior art systems and that higher coupling coefficients are achieved. In consequence, not only storage of data but a wide range of other devices including wavelength selective filters, lenses and optical correlation systems are disclosed. Further, methods of writing and processing metastable images are disclosed which substantially improve the strength of the gratings that are permanently developed in the medium. These methods include advantageous use of electrical potentials and photovoltaic properties, together with different interrelationships during processing.

Abstract: An improved method for storing permanent holographic gratings in photorefractive materials for use in narrow band filters such as the H.sub.60 filter, as well as the filters themselves. The invention also provides an improved method of controlling the electric field and the nature of the photorefraction to minimize wavelength shifts and band broadening at a minimal reduction of diffraction efficiency.