Electric field controlled higher-order diffraction images of paraelectric potassium lithium tantalate niobate

We report some electric field controlled photorefractive higher-order diffraction phenomena of a paraelectric phase potassium lithium tantalate niobate crystal doped with iron. In experiments, a p-polarized semiconductor laser (532 nm) was used to record grating at a small incident angle. Higher-order diffraction images were observed when the signal beam was focused behind and in front of the crystal. Then the higher-order diffraction images were reconstructed by a p-polarized He–Ne laser (632.8 nm) in the direction perpendicular to the surface. The higher-order diffraction images could be controlled by the external electric field. A theory about the higher-order diffraction images of the K and 2K grating is developed. The results show that the even order diffraction images of the K grating and the odd order diffraction of the 2K grating overlap each other. The odd order diffraction images of the K grating are diffracted in unattached direction. The electric field controlled higher-order diffraction image provides a useful method for optical information processing.

► Higher-order diffraction images could be controlled by external electric field.
► A theory about higher-order diffraction images of K and 2K grating is developed.
► Higher-order diffraction images is a useful method for optical image processing.