Abstract

While most photorefractive (PR) beam self-trapping configurations require application of a high external voltage [1] we instead propose to use PR pyroelectric medium to efficiently trap beams by simple temperature control. This new concept is based on uniform temperature change of a pyroelectric PR crystal which creates an internal electric field that is screened under a local illumination by nonlinear photorefractive effect. Experimental demonstration is performed in the widely available photonic material Lithium niobate (LiNbO₃).

© 2009 IEEE