Decay of photorefractive gratings in LiNbO3:Fe by neutron irradiation -: art. no. 141107

The effect of neutron irradiation on photorefractive gratings in LiNbO3:Fe single crystals is studied experimentally. The observed phenomena result from the large effective cross section of Li-6 for thermal and cold neutrons and from the large number of the electrons excited to the conduction band by the high kinetic energy that is released during the neutron generated fission of Li-6 nuclei. The excited electrons erase the previously recorded holographic grating. The sensitivity threshold of the effect is better than 160 mSv (1.2x10(10) cm(-2) fluence) at neutron energy of 0.17 eV. Potential applications of the phenomena are discussed. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.