Abstract

The lifetimes of non-fixed holograms in LiNbO₃ crystals with different dopants, doping levels and oxidation states have been measured in the temperature range from 30 to 180° C. Two dark decay mechanisms have been identified: proton compensation and electron tunneling. For LiNbO₃ crystals with low doping levels, the dominant mechanism of dark decay is proton compensation with the activation energy of 1.0 eV. This mechanism is independent of dopant, doping level and oxidation state. For LiNbO₃ with high doping levels, the prevailing mechanism is electron tunneling with the activation energy much less than that of proton compensation, e.g., 0.28 eV for LiNbO₃:0.25 wt% Fe₂O₃. The dark decay of holograms stored in crystals with medium doping levels is the result of a combination of both effects.

© 2001 Optical Society of America