Effect of ruthenium doping on the optical and photorefractive properties of Bi12TiO20 single crystals

Abstract

Bi12TiO20 (BTO) single crystals nominally pure and doped with ruthenium are grown by top-seeded solution growth method. The effect of ruthenium concentration on optical and photorefractive properties is studied. Strong influence of doping on these properties is observed. It is shown that optical transmission of crystal samples with higher ruthenium content is shifted to the near IR spectral region, while the absorption coefficient is considerably increased. The optical activity of Ru doped crystals is further reduced in comparison with undoped BTO. Photochromic effect is observed in strongly doped crystal. Photorefractive properties are experimentally investigated using two-beam coupling. Response time and diffraction efficiency are changed with ruthenium content. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.