Lithium Niobate

The book presents the current state of studies of point defects, both intrinsic and extrinsic (impurities, radiation centers, etc.), in LiNbO3. The contribution of intrinsic defects to photoinduced charge transport, i.e. to the photorefraction, is explained. The photorefractive and optical properties of LiNbO3 crystals with different stoichiometry and of those doped with so-called "optical-damage resistant" impurities controlling the intrinsic defect structure are described in detail. Applications included are to the problem of non-erasable recording of photorefractive holograms in LiNbO3 and the current situation of studies in the ferroelectric switching and domain structure of LiNbO3, as well as the creation of periodically-poled structures for the optical frequency conversion.

Zusammenfassung

This book covers new research on LiNbO3 including current studies on intrinsic and extrinsic point defects and the contribution of intrinsic defects to photoinduced charge transport. Applications of this material are also discussed.

Inhalt
Point Defects in LiNbO3.- General Introduction to Photorefraction in LiNbO3.- Photorefraction in LiNbO3 Crystals with Different Stoichiometry and/or Doped with Optical-Damage-Resistant Impurities.- Problem of a Non-Erasable Photorefractive Hologram.- Properties to Characterize Undoped and Optical-Damage-Resistant LiNbO3 Crystals.- Polarization Reversal and Ferroelectric Domains in LiNbO3 Crystals.