Optical control of induced birefringence in zinc selenide crystals

A study was made of the optical control of the birefringence induced in zinc selenide crystals. The photoinduced birefringence was investigated under pulse excitation conditions. A prototype spatial light modulator based on a ZnSe crystal was constructed. The time, contrast, and spectral characteristics of this modulator were studied and the requirements to be satisfied by the control radiation were formulated.