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Abstract
Spatially modulated electric fields can be induced optically in some ferroelectric materials. We review some of our data obtained for crystals of BaTiO3, which indicate that such photo-induced fields may influence antiparallel domain patterns in such a way that the space charge becomes compensated by the bound charge created by domain walls. This leads to enhancement of the life-time and amplitude of photorefractive gratings. The effects are discussed primarily from the point of view of mechanisms of polarization reversal.