Enhanced Gain Dynamics In Photorefractive Polymers

The complexity of photorefractive polymers arises from multiple contributions to the photo-induced index grating. Analysis of the time dynamics of the two-beam coupling signal is used to extract information about the charge species responsible for the grating formation. It has been shown in a commonly used photorefractive polymer at moderate applied electric fields, the primary charge carriers (holes) establish an initial grating which, however, are followed by a subsequent competing grating (electrons) that decreases the two-beam coupling efficiency. We show by upon using higher applied bias fields, gain enhancement can be achieved by eliminating the electron grating contribution and returning to hole gratings only. © 2013 SPIE