Abstract

Using an exact solution to the vectorial Bragg diffraction problem in cubic photorefractive crystals, we analyze the effect of fast phase modulation on the output intensities and polarizations. It is shown that the output characteristics of the interacting beams cannot be reduced to those known for the scalar case. In particular, polarization filtering of the output beams makes the conventional AC-technique for enhancement of the photorefractive response compatible with the linear detection of weak signals. As applied to the transverse optical configuration, distinguished by the strongest vectorial effects, we optimize the linear detection characteristics. Theoretical results are supported by experimental data obtained with BTO crystals.

© 2001 Optical Society of America