Fixing of photorefractive volume holograms in K_1−yLiyTa_1−xO_3

We report the fixing of photorefractive holographic gratings with high efficiency in a sample of K(1-y)Li(y)Ta(1-x)Nb(x)O(3) doped with Cu, V, and Ti. Holograms are thermally fixed through the screening of a photorefractive space-charge f ield by a nonphotoactive species at elevated temperatures. Fixed holograms are revealed by illumination at lower temperatures. Diffraction efficiencies of 25% in a 0.54-cm-thick sample are measured. Holograms undergo thermal decay with a 0.67-eV activation energy.