We analyze and compare two typical recording and thermal fixing procedures
of a volume hologram in a Fe:LiNbO3 crystal (low-high-low procedure and hig
h-low procedure). We consider the kinetics of the recording, compensating,
and developing processes by taking into account the ratio of the conductivi
ties between the protons and the electrons as a function of temperature. Fr
om the analysis the optimal environmental conditions tin terms of the fixin
g temperature and the compensation time) for each fixing procedure can be d
educed for a crystal with given material parameters. (C) 1999 Optical Socie
ty of America.