Nonreciprocal optical transmission through photorefractive KNbO(3):Mn

Asymmetric light transmission of up to 113 and 59% for two antiparallel beam directions has been measured in photorefractive KNbO(3):Mn. The wavelength dependence of the transmission asymmetry and the intensity dependence of the time constants for recording the photoinduced reflection gratings causing the asymmetry are reported. An optimized crystal orientation gives an increased light-transmission asymmetry of up to 25% for a 2.9-mm-long crystal.