Abstract

The proton exchange (PE) technique has been used to form high-quality waveguides in LiNbO₃ and LiTaO₃.¹ LiTaO₃ offers an advantage over LiNbO₃ owing to its lower susceptibility to photorefractive effects (optical damage),² making it suitable for high-power applications. Previous reports on photorefractive effects in PE LiTaO₃ have primarily addressed power transmission through channel waveguides.³ At present, the mechanisms responsible for the improved photorefractive behavior of PE LiTaO₃ are not well understood. Here we present quantitative results in active PE LiTaO₃ devices and examine both photovoltaic and photoconductive contributions to the photorefractive effect.

© 1991 Optical Society of America