De’an Liu

Three-dimensional superresolution by three-zone complex pupil filters

Complex pupil filters are introduced to improve the three-dimensional resolving power of an optical imaging system. Through the design of the essential parameters of such filters, the transmittance and radius of the first zone, three-dimensional superresolution is realized. The Strehl ratio and the transverse and axial gains of such filters are analyzed in detail. A series of simulation examples of such filters are also presented that prove that three-dimensional superresolution can be realized. The advantage of such filters is that it is easy to realize three-dimensional superresolution, and the disadvantage is that the sidelobes of the axial intensity distribution are too high. But this can be overcome by the application of a confocal system.

Nonvolatile holograms in LiNbO3:Fe:Cu by use of the bleaching effect.

We report our observation of a bleaching effect under an ultraviolet exposure in LiNbO3:Fe:Cu crystals. Two three-step recording-transferring-fixing schemes are proposed to record nonvolatile photorefractive holograms in such crystals. In the schemes two red laser beams and an ultraviolet illumination are used selectively to write the charge grating inthe shallow-level Fe centers, to develop the charge grating inthe deep-level Cu centers by transferring the charge grating in the Fe centers, and to fix only thecharge grating in the Cu centers for unerasable read-out. Experimental results, verifications, and an optimal recording scheme are given. A comparison of the lithium niobate crystals of the same double-doping system of Fe:Mn, Ce:Mn, Ce:Cu, and Fe:Cu is outlined.

Recording and fixing dynamics of nonvolatile photorefractive holograms in LiNbO 3 :Fe:Mn crystals

A theoretical explanation of nonvolatile holographic recording in LiNbO3:Fe:Mn crystals is given based on jointly solving the two-center material equations and the coupled-wave equations. The nonuniformity of the dynamics of the photorefractive grating can be effectively described and analyzed by using this method. The time–space evolution, including the space-charge field, the diffraction efficiency, the light modulation depth, the phases of the space-charge field and the interference field, as well as the relative spatial phase shift between them, is studied for both oxidized and reduced crystals. The optimal conditions for material prescriptions and oxidation–reduction processing are discussed in detail. The bending isophase of the fringe pattern and the redistributed intensities of the two-coupled beams inside the crystal are presented. The theoretical results can confirm and predict experimental results. Some new effects are also discovered, such as: The fixed diffraction efficiency can exceed the saturation diffraction efficiency for strongly recorded gratings; the energy transfer direction between two-coupled beams can be reversed with crystal thickness; and the holographic readout in reduced crystal is always accompanied by fast phase changes, which results in the slow deterioration of the recorded holograms as a result of the production of homogeneous distributions of electrons.

Optimal switching from recording to fixing for high diffraction from a LiNbO3:Ce:Cu photorefractive nonvolatile hologram.

An oscillatory characteristic of diffraction is observed as a result of strong beam coupling in a weakly oxidized LiNbO3:Ce:Cu crystal during the recording step in the production of nonvolatile photorefractive holograms. On this basis the optimal switching time from the recording step to the fixing step for high diffraction of a fixed hologram is studied. It is shown that switching after the first diffraction maximum leads theoretically to fixed diffraction of as much as 100% with a suitable switching time. Both an experimental demonstration and a theoretical simulation are presented.

Transverse or axial superresolution with radial birefringent filter.

The superresolution technique is well known for its ability to compress the central diffraction spot to a size that is smaller than the Airy diffraction spot. The radial birefringent filter, which consists of two parallel polarizers and a rotationally symmetric birefringent element, is introduced into the superresolution technology, and the pupil function of it is deduced. It is shown that such a filter can be adapted either for transverse superresolution or for axial superresolution simply by changing the angle between either of the two polarizers and the radial birefringent element. At the same time the superresolution parameters are discussed. The filter is relatively simple in construction as it requires no phase changes, and low-cost replication is possible.

Effect of dopant composition ratio on nonvolatile holographic recording in LiNbO~3:Cu:Ce crystals

The effect of dopant composition ratio on nonvolatile holographic recording in LiNbO3:Cu:Ce crystals is investigated experimentally. The results show that the dopant composition ratio affects the recording sensitivity and fixed diffraction efficiency by altering the UV light absorption characteristics of the crystals during nonvolatile, holographic recording. Increasing the dopant composition ratio of Cu and Ce leads to an increase in the absorption of UV light and further to an increase in the recording sensitivity and fixed diffraction efficiency. The UV light absorption characteristics of LiNbO3:Cu:Ce crystals and their roles in nonvolatile holographic recording are theoretically analyzed. The theoretical results are consistent with those of the experiments.

Experimental and theoretical study of non-volatile photorefractive holograms in doubly doped LiNbO3:Fe:Cu

Abstract We report the bleaching properties of iron and copper co-doped lithium niobate crystals that are candidates for non-volatile holographic storage. In experiment, we propose a three-step recording/fixing scheme to realize non-volatile holographic storage in LiNbO 3 :Fe:Cu, which firstly uses two coherent red beams for recording, secondly one Bragg-matched red beam together with a uniform ultraviolet light for developing and thirdly a single red beam for fixing. In theory, we have considered not only the material response to the incidence light but also the response of the light to the medium. We present a theoretical model in which the two-center band-transport equations, the coupled-wave equations and the coherent readout are considered simultaneously. The time evolution of space–charge field and the optimal conditions for both processing and material prescriptions of holographic storage are analyzed numerically in detail. Which include the dopant concentrations, the oxidation/reduction states, the intensity ratio of the two red recording beams to the UV light.

Wavelength dependence of light-induced domain nucleation in MgO-doped congruent LiNbO3 crystal

Within the wavelength range from 351 to 799 nm, the different reductions of nucleation field induced by the focused continuous laser irradiation are achieved in the 5 mol % MgO-doped congruent LiNbO3 crystals. The reduction proportion increases exponentially with decreasing irradiation wavelength and decreases exponentially with increasing irradiation wavelength. At one given wavelength, the reduction proportion increases exponentially with increasing irradiation intensity. An assumption is proposed that the reduction of nucleation field is directly related to the defect structure of crystal lattice generated by the complex coaction of incident irradiation field and external electric field. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics.

Phase mapping of domain kinetics in lithium niobate by digital holographic interferometry

The phase mapping of domain kinetics under the uniform steady-state electric field is achieved and investigated in the LiNbO3 crystals by digital holographic interferometry. We obtained the sequences of reconstructed three-dimensional and two-dimensional wave-field phase distributions during the electric poling in the congruent and near stoichiometric LiNbO3 crystals. The phase mapping of individual domain nucleation and growth in the two crystals are obtained. It is found that both longitudinal and lateral domain growths are not linear during the electric poling. The phase mapping of domain wall motions in the two crystals is also obtained. Both the phase relaxation and the pinning-depinning mechanism are observed during the domain wall motion. The residual phase distribution is observed after the high-speed domain wall motion. The corresponding analyses and discussions are proposed to explain the phenomena.

Ridge-shape phase distribution adjacent to 180° domain wall in congruent LiNbO3 crystal

The digital holographic interferometry is used in the dynamic and static measurements of phase variation induced by domain inversion. For the first time, to the authors’ knowledge, they observe the existence of ridge-shape phase distribution adjacent to 180° domain wall in congruent LiNbO3 crystal. During the domain wall motion, the phase variations are not uniform but have obvious relaxations. In the static measurement, the ridge elevation can vary linearly with the uniform electric field. The reasonable assumptions are proposed to explain these effects.