Open AccessLight-induced symmetry breaking and related giant enhancement of nonlinear properties in CdZnTe:V crystals
Author(s) -
S. Shwartz,
R. Weil,
Mordechai Segev,
Eugene Lakin,
E. Zolotoyabko,
Vinod M. Me,
Stephen R. Forrest,
U. ElHanany
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.14.009385
Subject(s) - electrostriction , optics , terahertz radiation , nonlinear optics , diffraction , materials science , optical rectification , symmetry breaking , nonlinear system , interferometry , condensed matter physics , optoelectronics , physics , laser , quantum mechanics , piezoelectricity , composite material
We report on enormous light-induced reversible strain effects in CdZnTe:V crystals, which lead to a remarkable enhancement of their nonlinear properties, such as electrostriction and electro-optic effects. Using both high resolution x-ray diffraction and optical interferometry we measure light-induced relative deformation of the initial crystalline lattice (changes in d-spacings) up to 0.15%. The experimental findings are attributed to light-induced breaking of the initial cubic crystalline symmetry. Our results point to a family of inorganic materials whose nonlinear properties can be remarkably enhanced by light, offering new possibilities for nonlinear frequency conversion, generation of Terahertz radiation, electro-optic modulation, and self-deflection of optical beams.