Growth and Holographic Storage Properties of Sc, Fe Co-Doped Lithium Niobate Crystals

The holographic storage properties of Fe (0.03% (mass fraction) Fe2O3):LiNbO3 doped with Sc at different levels (0, 1%, 2%, 3%) were investigated. The Sc threshold concentration in Fe:LiNbO3 was implied to be about 3% (mole fraction) because O-H vibration absorption peak of Sc (3%):Fe:LiNbO3 was at 3508 cm−1, compared with 3484 cm−1 of crystals with lower Sc doping level. Sc(3%):Fe:LiNbO3 exhibited higher optical damage resistance ability. The threshold intensity (wavelength 488 nm) of Sc (3%):Fe:LiNbO3 was 2.2 × 102 W · cm−2, two orders of magnitude higher than that of Fe:LiNbO3. Holographic storage properties of the crystals were determined in an extraordinary polarized laser of wavelength 632.8 nm by a two-wave coupling method. It was found that in terms of holographic storage properties, the optimal doping concentration of Sc was 2% (mole fraction) among this crystal series.