Noise and sensitivity characteristics of Bi(12)SiO(20) crystals for optimization of a real-time self-diffraction holographic interferometer.

The optimization of a real-time holographic interferometer that uses photorefractive Bi(12)SiO(20) crystals as the recording media through anisotropic self-diffraction is considered with regard to the optical noise and sensitivity characteristics of two particular crystals. A simple theoretical treatment is given to describe the factors influencing the maximum area of an object that can be viewed interferometrically by using these crystals. Experimental values of the noise distribution and sensitivity of the crystals are presented and used to obtain a value for the maximum observable object area of the order of 1 m(2).