Pyroelectric-controlled bending of a self-trapped optical beam in a photorefractive iron doped lithium niobate crystal

We present the experimental demonstration of a self-trapped optical beam bending in a photorefractive Fe-doped lithium niobate (LN:Fe) crystal controlled by the pyroelectric effect. Formation of self-trapped beams with typical similar to 50 mu m diameter and large bending of similar to 140 mu m are depicted in a 1 cm length LN:Fe crystal for a laser beam at 632.8 nm wavelength and 0.5 mW power with a 30 degrees C crystal temperature change. The self-trapped beam bending is opposite to the crystal C+-axis. The underlying physics is elaborated and numerical simulations are performed. The long-living waveguiding channels with controlled curvilinear trajectories are promising for optical information routing.