Effect of annealing in two-center holographic recording

Persistent holograms are recorded with red light in lithium niobate crystals doped with manganese and iron. We find that the oxidation/reduction state of the crystal has a profound impact on the recording and readout performance. The underlying physical processes are investigated and the recording and readout responses are explained and optimized. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(99)05325-5].