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

Volume

35

Issue

3

fYear

1999

fDate

3/1/1999 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

281

Lastpage

286

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;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9197

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/3.748831

Filename

748831