Photorefractive beam self-trapping is investigated in InP:Fe and is shown to occur within tens of microseconds after beam switch on. This fast response time is predicted by an analytical theoretical interpretation based on a simple photorefraction model which suggests buildups in a time range consistent with experiments.

Light induced waveguides are demonstrated in Sn2P2S6by two alternative methods allowing a waveguide formation time of the order of 1 ms. The techniques are based on shaped visible lateral illumination and near infrared self-focusing.

Light induced waveguides produced by lateral illumination of a photorefractive crystal show a complex dynamic evolution upon removal of the sustaining applied electric field. Using this effect, deflection and modulation of the guided light is realized by taking advantage of the screening and counter-screening of the space charge distribution. The spot separation upon deflection can exceed 10 times the original waveguide width. Numerical simulations of the refractive index evolution and beam propagation show a good agreement with the observations.

Self-trapping of optical beams in photorefractive (PR) materials at telecommunications wavelengths has been studied at steady state in insulators such as SBN [1] and in semiconductor InP:Fe [2], CdTe [3]. PR self-focusing and soliton interactions in semiconductors find interesting applications in optical communications such as optical routing and interconnections because of several advantages over insulators: their sensitivity to near-infrared wavelengths and shorter response time. Photorefractive self focusing in InP:Fe is characterized as a function of beam intensity and temperature. Transient self focusing is found to occur on two time scales for input intensities of tens of W/cm2 (one on the order of tens of µs, one on the order of milliseconds). A theory developed describes the photorefractive self focusing in InP:Fe and confirmed by steady state and transient regime measurements. PR associated phenomena (bending and self focusing) are taking place in InP:Fe as fast as a µs for intensities on the order of 10W/cm2 at 1.06 µm. Currently we are conducting more experiments in order to estimate the self focusing response time at 1.55µm, to clarify the temporal dynamic of the self focusing and to build up a demonstrator of fast optical routing by photorefractive spatial solitons interactions.

This paper reports the engraving of an optical waveguide inside a LiNbO3 crystal fiber via the photorefractive effect and an optical vortex. Afterwards this waveguide was successfully tested and its properties evidenced.

Photorefractive self focusing in InP :Fe semiconductor is analysed experimentally and theoretically at 1.06 and 1.55 µm. We show how the self focusing can be controlled by tuning various parameters. Short response times (10µs) are measured for low intensities (10W/cm²)

This paper extends the existing theory of two carrier photorefractivity resonance, which is generally applied to Iron doped Indium Phosphide (InP:Fe), to the case of low non-harmonic illumination. The space charge field profile is computed, and the variations of its amplitude, width and position are determined as functions of the background intensity. The effect of photorefractive resonance on these quantities is evidenced, contributing to the understanding of published experimental results in InP:Fe.

We achived the photo-engraving and the test of an optical waveguide by a vortex beam in liNbO3 fibers using the photorefractive effect presents in this material.

Photorefractive self-focusing temporal dynamic is characterized experimentally in InP:Fe semiconductor and the results are found to be in good agreement with a theoreticalmodel. Short response time (10ìs) aremeasured for relatively low intensities (10W/cm2).

Photorefractive self-focusing temporal dynamic is characterized experimentally in InP:Fe semiconductor and the results are found to be in good agreement with a theoreticalmodel. Short response time (10ìs) aremeasured for relatively low intensities (10W/cm2).