Large optically homogeneous photorefractive Bi12TiO20 (BTO) single crystals
doped with Al, P, Ag, Cu, Co and Al + P-co-doping were obtained by the Top
Seeded Solution Growth Method (TSSG) in a Bi2O3 solution. A strong bleachi
ng effect was observed for the Al, P, Ag and Al + P-doped crystals, whereas
doping with Cu and Co induced a strong photochromic effect and increased t
he absorption coefficients in the red spectral region. Al, P, Al + P-doped
crystals increased the values of optical rotator power, while Cu and Ag-dop
ed crystals exhibited a strong decrease in optical activity in comparison w
ith non-doped BTO. The influences of doping elements on the optical rotatio
n power are discussed on the basis of two structural elementary cell units
- MO4 tetrahedra and BiOn polyhedra. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science
B.V. All rights reserved.