Ordered nano-scale domains in lithium niobate single crystals via phase-mask assisted all-optical poling

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Description/Abstract

We report the formation of directionally-ordered nanoscale surface domains on the +z face of undoped congruent lithium niobate single crystals by using UV illumination through a phase mask with an energy fluence between ~90mj/cm2 and 150 mJ/cm2 at λ = 266 nm. We clearly show here that the UV-induced surface ferroelectric domains nucleate and then propagate along the maxima of laser intensity produced by the phase mask, thus enabling a degree of control over this all-optical poling process. Acid etching of the illuminated crystal faces was employed to reveal the induced domain nature and the spatial structure of the formed nanoscale domains.