Anisotropic diffraction of light by volume holographic grating in birefringent photorefractive crystals with extended wavelength range

Abstract

The properties of anisotropic diffraction of light by volume holographic grating in birefringent photorefractive crystals are discussed. This diffraction takes place when the refractive index for diffracted light is different from the refractive index for incident light. It is found that in some special geometry of wavevector diagram the diffraction becomes less sensitive to the wavelength mismatch of Bragg condition. The wavelength range may extent in several times the range of ordinary isotropic diffraction on the grating of the same spacing and thickness. Theoretical explanation of this phenomena and experimental results of widerange diffraction in BaTiO3 photorefractive crystal are also presented. (C) 2002 Optical Society of America.