Open AccessDirect-writing of inverted domains in lithium niobate using a continuous wave ultra violet laser
Author(s) -
A.C. Muir,
C.L. Sones,
S. Mailis,
R.W. Eason,
T. Jungk,
AJ Hoffman,
E. Soergel
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.16.002336
Subject(s) - lithium niobate , materials science , poling , optics , laser , ferroelectricity , piezoresponse force microscopy , titanium , optoelectronics , doping , physics , dielectric , metallurgy
The inversion of ferroelectric domains in lithium niobate by a scanning focused ultra-violet laser beam (lambda = 244 nm) is demonstrated. The resulting domain patterns are interrogated using piezoresponse force microscopy and by chemical etching in hydrofluoric acid. Direct ultra-violet laser poling was observed in un-doped congruent, iron doped congruent and titanium in-diffused congruent lithium niobate single crystals. A model is proposed to explain the mechanism of domain inversion.