Phase conjugate interferometry with a novel ferroelectic crystal-dye film composite

Abstract

A new approach to integrate the large holographic storage times of the photorefractive crystals and the fast response times of dye-doped thin films by forming a new composite material is discussed. The potential of this new composite to realize Phase Conjugate Interferometry in a Degenerate Four Wave Mixing geometry is investigated. This is done by studying the difference in the temporal evolution of the two kinds of phase conjugate signals that are generated by the composite. An application of this technique to a qualitative study of thermal currents in a liquid is also described.