Holographic Recording with the Use of Bistable Centers in CdF$\text{}_{2}$

We show that bistability and metastability of In and Ga impurities in CdF$\text{}_{2}$ crystals can be efficiently used in writing volume holographic gratings. Phototransformation of these impurities from the localized to the hydrogenic state leads to a large change of the local polarizability of the host, and thus a significant change of the refractive index. While CdF2:In can be used only at low temperatures (below 150 K), CdF2:Ga crystals are suitable for room temperature recording.