A new method is proposed for determining the two-beam coupling gain co
efficients of photorefractive crystals with both o- and e-polarized li
ghts. This method enables one to determine simultaneously and precisel
y the gain coefficients of a crystal for o- and e-polarized Lights whi
le the fanning effect is diminished. Experimental demonstrations are p
resented. (C) 1998 Optical Society of America.