Investigation of spatially nonuniform nonlinear response of a lithium niobate crystal sample at low light intensity

The spatial distribution of nonlinear optical response over a bulk of lithium niobate sample is experimentally studied through the distortions of the two-dimensional light beam intensity patterns at the sample output surface caused by the beam spatial self-action. The compensation of these distortions and the linear light beam divergence by means of the pyroelectric effect contribution into the nonlinear optical response of the crystal are also studied. The results obtained for the light wavelength of 532 nm and beam waist diameter of 13 μm demonstrate the partial or total compensation of the beam divergence depending on light power and a temperature increase at the sample heating. (paper)