Optical properties of Ce:Mn:LiNbO3 crystals with various [Li]/[Nb] ratios

Ce(0.1 mass%):Mn(0.015 mass%):LiNbO3 Crystals were grown by the Czochralski method from melts with various Li/Nb ratios (0.94, 1.05, 1.20, 1.38). Several spectra were used to investigate the influence of the Li/Nb ratio in the melt on the intrinsic defect and location of doped ions. As it can be seen, the lattice constants decrease, the Curie temperature increases, the absorption edge of Ce:Mn:LiNO3 crystals has a violet shift, and the position of the infrared transmission peak has an Einstein shift with the increase of the Li/Nb ratio. The holographic storage properties were also measured by a two-beam coupling equipment, while the optical damage resistance ability of samples was scaled by the light spot distortion method. The maximal inflection of refractive index and the dynamic range of crystals were calculated. The results show that the holographic storage properties of the crystals are affected by the Li/Nb ratio. Among all samples, the Ce:Mn:LiNbO3 crystal grown from the melt with the Li/Nb ratio 1.38 has the best holographic storage properties.