Photorefractive Optics

Photorefractive optics involve materials that change their refractive index in response to light exposure. When illuminated, these materials can "record" patterns of light, creating temporary changes that can redirect or modify future light passing through them. This process is a type of nonlinear optics, where the response of the material is not directly proportional to the input light intensity. Applications include holography, signal processing, and optical storage, making photorefractive optics valuable in advanced technologies like telecommunications and imaging systems.