New optical phenomena in ferroelectrics: Applications for the recording and processing of information

Summary form only given. In a number of optical methods currently used for recording and processing information, the electrooptic method is rapidly expanding. This method is based on the influence of the electric field on the light refringence coefficients without taking into account the spatial dispersion. Crystallooptic phenomena involving the spatial dispersion, the incommensurate structure, and the inversion of the birefringence sign are discussed. Possible applications of these phenomena are outlined.<
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