Point defects physics in lithium niobate related to optical damage resistance, photorefractive holographic properties and applications

In this work some aspects of point defects produced in lithium niobate crystals by doping and thermal treatments are studied. The effect of oxidation and reduction processes on pure and doped samples is analyzed. In particular, results of visible and infrared optical absorption, photovoltaic behavior, paramagnetic resonance and holographic fixing parameters are considered to understand the photorefractive properties and optical damage inhibition in crystals co-doped with Fe and different concentrations of optical damage resistant impurities. The behavior of OH-centers and its role on photorefractive hologram fixing is also considered.