Spatial rectification of the electric field of space charge waves
A new phenomenon associated with a nonlinear interaction of optically excited space charge waves has been discovered in photorefractive crystals of the sillenite family. This interaction provides a spatial rectification of the electric field of the space charge waves and leads to a temporally oscillating, but spatially homogeneous electric field of the order of 50-60 V/cm which is detected by a probe beam via the electro-optic effect. Taking into account that the displacement current plays an important role, we demonstrate a very good agreement between the experimental data and the suggested theoretical model.
Petrov
MP
Physical Technical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, 194021, Russia.
Paugurt
AP
Bryksin
VV
Wevering
S
Kratzig
E