Ultraviolet photorefractive effect in Mg-doped near-stoichiometric LiNbO3

The ultraviolet photorefractive effect of Mg-doped near-stoichiometric LiNbO3 crystals prepared by vapor transport equilibration (VTE) technique was studied at 351 nm. It was found in the near-stoichiometric LiNbO3 crystals that the ultraviolet photorefractive effect could be enhanced greatly with the increase of Mg concentration. Based on the activation energy of dark decay of the photorefractive grating, possible centers responsible for the ultraviolet photorefractive effect were also discussed.