Diffusion of photoexcited azo dye in a liquid-crystal host.

Dynamic holograms are created and studied in a D2 azo-dye-doped nematic liquid crystal. The dependence of diffraction on the excitation and probe polarizations is observed. The efficiency of excitation and the corresponding relaxation time depend also on the period and orientation of the light-interference pattern with respect to the initial molecular orientation. The excitation and diffusion of dye molecules are suggested to be the origin of these phenomena.

Thermal gratings written in glycerol with CO(2) laser radiation.

Real time holographic recording has been performed in glycerol using CO(2) laser beams for the writing. The dynamics of the grating formation was monitored with a reading beam at 632.8 nm. Particular attention has been paid on temporal behavior.

Degenerate four-wave mixing in organic azo dyes chrysoidin and benzopurpurin 4B.

Phase-conjugate reflectivity obtained by degenerate four-wave mixing are measured in different azo dye solutions. A reflectivity up to 80% was achieved. Values of the nonlinear susceptibility chi((3)) are calculated, and its origin is discussed.

Transverse modes of a stimulated scattering phase-conjugate resonator.

Gaussian transverse eigenmodes of a stimulated scattering phase-conjugate resonator are calculated. The experimental setup which provides the stimulated scattering phase-conjugate resonator is described.

High-power single-mode laser operation using stimulated Rayleigh scattering.

We report single-mode high-power Nd:YAG laser operation by stimulated thermal Rayleigh Q switching. We also analyze the phase-conjugation properties of collinear four-wave mixing that is due to low-frequency excitations in absorbing liquids.