OPTICAL RESTORATION OF PHOTOREFRACTIVE HOLOGRAMS THROUGH SELF-ENHANCED DIFFRACTION

For the first time to our knowledge, we demonstrate the use of self-en hanced diffraction to optically restore weak dynamic volume holograms. This restoration process is achieved through the use of a novel beam- toggling scheme that significantly enhances the steady-state diffracti on efficiency of volume index gratings stored in photorefractive media . Experiments demonstrating and confirming theory are presented and di scussed.