Novel Polymer Composites with High Optical Gain Based on Pseudo-Photorefraction

Asymmetric two-beam coupling without a space-charge field or electro-optical and orientational effects was detected in hemicyanine-dye-containing polymer composites. This phenomenon, termed “pseudo-photorefraction” by the authors, appears to arise from movement of the interference pattern and mass transport within the polymer matrix. Large optical gain effects and amplification up to 30 % qualify the materials for simple yet highly effective photorefractive devices.