Optical Modulation Via The Photorefractive Effect

Rotation of polarization and use of analyzer yield large variations in intensity. Experiments show one beam of light used to change intensity of another beam via photorefractive effect in GaAs. Each beam causes polarization of other beam to rotate. Rotation detected by passing modulated beam through analyzer. Results agree closely with predictions of theory of photorefractive effect. Modulation scheme works with other photorefractive materials of similar crystallographic symmetry.