Linear regime in optical information writing in space-time light modulators using sillenites

Single crystals with the sillenite structure (sillenites) exhibit a pronounced photosensitivity and a significant electrooptic effect. Such materials are, therefore, of interest in connection with possible applications related to optical information processing. An employment in space-time light modulators is considered, giving attention to a demonstration of the linear writing of optical information. In the reported experiments, single crystals of Bi12GeO20 with (110) orientation are used. The crystals have a thickness of 500 microns. An electrolyte involving a solution of NaCl in deionized water is employed. The obtained results demonstrate that, in contrast to metal-sillenite-metal structures, modulators with an electrolytic contact exhibit no diffraction in the second or higher orders.