Theoretical limits for the performance of two-center holographic recording

Abstract

The detailed performance of two-center holographic recording is theoretically studied. We present here a systematic method for global optimization of two-center holographic recording, and apply the method to lithium niobate crystals doped with iron and manganese (LiNbO 3 :Fe:Mn). Both the dynamic range (M/#) and sensitivity (S) are considered, and the optimum design parameters for LiNbO 3 :Fe:Mn crystals are predicted. To perform optimization, we use both an analytic approach and a complete numerical approach. The light absorption in the crystal is also considered. We show that the optimum design parameters for maximizing the M/# are different from those for maximizing S.