Studies of Optical Damage in Photorefractive Single LiNbO3 Crystals using Imaging Polarimetry

TL;DR

This study uses imaging polarimetry to experimentally analyze laser-induced optical damage in single LiNbO3 crystals, demonstrating a promising method for damage detection in photorefractive materials.

Contribution

It introduces an imaging polarimetry technique to map birefringence changes caused by laser damage in LiNbO3 crystals, offering a new approach for damage assessment.

Findings

Birefringence maps reveal damage regions in LiNbO3 crystals.

Imaging polarimetry effectively detects laser-induced damage.

The setup shows promise for real-time damage monitoring.

Abstract

The optical damage of photorefractive material, single LiNbO3 crystal, is experimentally studied. The specimen has been illuminated with the radiation of continuous Ar-laser (the wavelength of 488 nm) focused to 35?m spot. The induced birefringence map is obtained by means of imaging polarimeter. Promising resources of the experimental setup for detecting laser-induced damage in photorefractive materials is demonstrated.