Photorefractive Multi-Beam Induced Phase Conjugation

Abstract

We demonstrate the simultaneous phase conjugation of multiple beams incident on the a face of a photorefractive barium titanate crystal. The input beam power, angle and position were set so that no phase conjugation occurs unless a switchable incoherent inducing beam is present on the -c face of the crystal. The use of the inducing technique with two mutually pumped phase conjugations for four input beams, or one self-pumped and one mutually pumped phase conjugation for three input beams can be performed in a crystal. Unlike the setup of conventional phase conjugation, which requires more precise arrangements, the novel setup of the multi-beam induced phase conjugation is relatively relaxed. The mechanism responsible for our discovery is qualitatively explained, and possible applications are mentioned.