Optical induction of 3D rotational symmetry refractive lattices by combined interferometric-mask method in doped LiNbO3 crystals

A novel combined interferometric–mask method for the formation of micro- and nanometric scale three-dimensional (3D) rotational symmetry quasi-crystalline refractive lattice structures in photorefractive materials is demonstrated experimentally. The method is based on micrometric scale spatial modulation of the light by amplitude mask in the radial directions and along the azimuthal angle and the use of counter-propagating beam geometry building up Gaussian standing wave, which defines the light modulation in the axial direction with half-wavelength periodicity. 3D intensity pattern can be represented as numerous mask-generated 2D quasi-periodic structures located in each anti-node of the standing wave. The formed 3D intensity distributions of the optical beams can be imparted into the photorefractive medium thus creating the micro- and sub-micrometric scale 3D refractive index volume lattices. The used optical scheme allows also the formation of 2D lattices by removing the back-reflecting mirror. 2D and 3D refractive lattices were recorded with the use of 532 nm laser beam and rotational symmetry mask in doped lithium niobate crystals and were tested by the probe beam far-field diffraction pattern imaging and direct observation by phase microscope. The formed rotational symmetry 3D refractive structures have the periods of 20–60 μm in the radial directions, 60 μm along the azimuthal angle and half-wavelength 266 nm in the axial direction.