Title :
Optical studies of laser-induced gray-tracking in KTP
Author :
Boulanger, B. ; Rousseau, I. ; Feve, J.P. ; Maglione, M. ; Ménaert, B. ; Marnier, G.
Author_Institution :
Lab. de Phys., Bourgogne Univ., Dijon, France
fDate :
3/1/1999 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
We have studied gray-tracking induced by a pulsed and polarized 532-nm laser beam in flux grown KTiOPO4 (KTP) crystals. Transmission spectra measured under polarized light give different results: gray-tracking leads to an increase in the initial anisotropy of the linear optical properties of KTP, and the polar axis is the most sensitive to this process. The dynamics of relaxation of gray-tracking is anisotropic and depends on the wavelength under analysis. We show a possible induced modification of the crystal surface and also the existence of an intensity above which gray-tracking reaches the saturation point. We then measure the temperature above which gray-tracking no longer exists
Keywords :
laser beam effects; laser beams; light polarisation; optical materials; optical saturation; potassium compounds; KTP; KTiOPO4; KTiOPO4 crystals; crystal surface; flux grown; initial anisotropy; laser-induced gray-tracking; linear optical properties; optical studies; polar axis; polarized light; pulsed polarized laser beam; saturation point; transmission spectra; Anisotropic magnetoresistance; Crystals; Geometrical optics; Laser beams; Optical polarization; Optical pulses; Optical saturation; Optical sensors; Temperature measurement; Wavelength measurement;
Journal_Title :
Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
