Optical properties of Sm doped Mg:LiNbO3 and Zn:LiNbO3 single crystals

Sm³⁺ doped Mg:LiNbO₃ and Zn:LiNbO₃ are grown by Czochralski method. Optical transmittance and emission spectra are measured and Judd-Ofelt theory is applied to determine phenomenological intensity parameters, oscillator strengths, radiant transition rates, total radiant lifetimes, and branching ratios. The calculations show that Judd-Ofelt parameters with the relation of Ω₄ > Ω₂ > Ω₆ exist, and ΣΩ_ξ (ξ = 2, 4 and 6) in Sm:Zn:LiNbO₃ decreases. Fluorescence spectra indicate that visible fluorescence of Sm³⁺ is made up of 570, 606, 613 and 654 nm emission bands in these crystals under 409 nm excitation.     

Optical properties of the c-axis oriented LiNbO3 thin film

C-axis oriented Lithium Niobate (LiNbO₃) thin films have been deposited onto epitaxially matched (001) sapphire substrate using pulsed laser deposition technique. Structural and optical properties of the thin films have been studied using the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV-Visible spectroscopy respectively. Raman spectroscopy has been used to study the optical phonon modes and defects in the c-axis oriented LiNbO₃ thin films. XRD analysis indicates the presence of stress in the as-grown LiNbO₃ thin films and is attributed to the small lattice mismatch between LiNbO₃ and sapphire. Refractive index (n = 2.13 at 640 nm) of the (006) LiNbO₃ thin films was found to be slightly lower from the corresponding bulk value (n = 2.28). Various factors responsible for the deviation in the refractive index of (006) LiNbO₃ thin films from the corresponding bulk value are discussed and the deviation is mainly attributed to the lattice contraction due to the presence of stress in deposited film.     

Spectroscopic investigation of Nd ion in LiNbO3, MgO:LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 single crystals relevant for laser applications

The polarized absorption and luminescence properties of Nd³⁺ doped isostructural LiNbO₃, MgO:LiNbO₃ and LiTaO₃ nonlinear bulk single crystals are reported. Pump-probe experiments associated with the Judd-Ofelt approach are used to estimate two types of room temperature cross sections: polarized emission cross sections of the dominant ⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_1//2 transition near 1085 and 1093 nm and polarized excited-state absorption cross sections in the same spectral domain and in the green spectral range corresponding to self frequency doubling. Self frequency-doubling results are also given in Nd:LiNbO₃ and Nd:MgO:LiNbO₃ versus sample temperature.     

Optical emission from LiNbO3(:Fe)/porous Si structures

Using pulsed laser deposition, a layer of LiNbO₃(:Fe) film with a thickness of 180 nm was coated onto porous Si (PS) stored in air for 1 year. A photoluminescence (PL) band enhanced about three times was observed at ∼625 nm with a same peak position as that of the stored PS. It is revealed that a new PL excitation band occurs at ∼363 nm, which is nearly equal to the fundamental optical absorption edge position of LiNbO₃. The X-ray diffraction results disclose that the enhancement of the PL intensity is closely related to formation of a textured LiNbO₃ film. Based on spectral analysis, we attribute the enhanced PL to optical transition in the E′ defect centers localized at the surfaces of PS nanocrystals, whereas the photoexcited carriers mainly come from the coated LiNbO₃ film. This kind of LiNbO₃(:Fe)/PS structures is expected to have important applications in modern ferroelectric optoelectronics.     

Light-induced absorption changes in iron-doped LiNbO3

LiNbO₃: Fe and LiNbO₃: Fe,Me (Me = K, Mg, Zn) crystals are illuminated with frequency-doubled pulses of a Q-switched Nd: YAG laser. We detect light-induced absorption changes at high pulse intensities (I > 10⁹Wm^-2) utilizing cw probe lasers of different wavelengths (λ^p = 488, 633, and 785 nm). Intensity dependences as well as relazation processes after illumination are investigated. Absorption changes increase with increasing light intensity. Strongest effects are observed in reduced crystals. Doping with magnesium or zinc and an increasing lithium content, respectively, diminishes light-induced absorption changes. Our results can be described by a two-center charge transport model.     

The congruently melting composition of LiNbO3

The congruently melting composition of lithium niobate was investigated using the measurement of phase matching temperature at the 1.06 wave length radiation and a controlled crystal growth program. It was shown to be between 48.50 and 48.60 mole % Li₂O.     

Review of proposed defect structures in LiNbO3

The problem of native defect structure in LiNbO₃ is discussed in the light of experimental data published till now. An attempt of uniform interpretation of these data has been undertaken.     

A phase relation between congruently melting LiNbO3 and Fe2O3

A pseudo-binary phase relation study has been done on the congruently melting LiNbO₃ and Fe₂O₃. DTA and X-ray analyses show that a solid solution exists between 0 and 11 mol% Fe₂O₃. The hexagonal cell constants a_H and V_H decrease with increasing Fe³⁺ content, whereas the c_H axis becomes larger up to 6 mol% Fe₂O₃ and then contracts. This anomalous behaviour in the c_H is explained by a preferential substitution of Nb⁵⁺ for Fe³⁺.     

Electro-optic bistability in a LiNbO3 microdisk resonator

The authors experimentally demonstrate feedback-controlled electro-optic bistability in the whispering gallery travelling-wave optical resonance of a LiNbO₃ microdisk. Simulations confirm the physical origin of the behaviour.     

Growth and spectroscopy of Dy doped in ZnWO4 crystal

Single-crystal ZnWO₄:Dy³⁺ was grown by Czochralski technique. The XRD, absorption spectra as well as fluorescence spectrum are investigated and the Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters Ω₂, Ω₄, Ω₆ are obtained to be 7.76 × 10⁻²⁰ cm², 0.57 × 10⁻²⁰ cm², 0.31 × 10⁻²⁰ cm², respectively. Calculated radiative transition rate, branching ratios and radiative lifetime for different transition levels of ZnWO₄:Dy³⁺ crystals are presented. Fluorescence lifetime of ⁴F_9/2 level is 158 μs and quantum efficiency is 66%.The most intense fluorescence line at 575 nm correlative with transition ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_13/2 is potentially for application of yellow lasers.     

Growth and characteristics of LiNbO3 plate crystals

LiNbO₃ plate crystals were grown by the edge-defined, film-fed growth (EFG) technique. Growth conditions and domain structure observed are given. The quality and piezoelectric properties of crystals obtained are reported and discussed, compared with those of crystals grown by conventional Czochralski technique.     

Study of diamond-like carbon films on LiNbO3

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films have been successfully deposited on Y-cut LiNbO₃ substrates using the plasma enhanced CVD technique. A thin interlayer of SiC between the DLC films and the LiNbO₃ is necessary to ensure a good adhesion of the DLC films to the LiNbO₃ substrate. The physical properties and structural network of the DLC films have been investigated in detail. It is observed that the film hardness is increased with increasing the film thickness, as is the adhesion of the DLC films to the LiNbO₃ substrates. The effect of accelerating surface acoustic wave by the DLC films has been confirmed.     

Etude cristallochimique et dielectrique des phases du systeme quaternaire LiNbO3−LiTaO3−NaNbO3−NaTaO3

A crystal chemical study of the quaternary system LiNbO₃ ? LiTaO₃ ? NaNbO₃ ? NaTaO₃ has been carried out. The obtained phase diagram depends on the temperature. At 1370 K for instance three solid solutions appear, they are related to perovskite, LaCoO₃ and LiNbO₃ - type structure. Most of these materials have ferroelectric - paraelectric transitions. The Curie temperature increases by substitution of sodium by lithium and tantalum by niobium. They have potential applications in piezoelectricity, pyroelectricity and electrooptics.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of LiNbO3 crystal

Lithium niobate crystal was successfully synthesized via hydrothermal synthesis method using LiOH·H₂O or LiNO₃ and Nb₂O₅ as starting materials in water or ammonia solution. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the as-prepared samples. The synthesis conditions such as crystallization temperature and time as well as ammonia concentration (when using LiNO₃ as Li source) were investigated. The results demonstrate that the crystallization and purity of the as-prepared samples were increased with the increase of time when temperature was at 260 °C. When using LiNO₃ as Li source a basic solution was necessary to synthesize LiNbO₃. In the present work ammonia solution was used instead of water to obtain alkalescence solvent. XRD results revealed that the as-prepared samples had a hexagonal structure. FT-IR results displayed that the LiNbO₃ phase could be completely formed and no secondary phase was found under proper conditions. SEM picture showed that the morphology of the sample was more perfect and bigger with increasing reaction time.     

Nanocrystallization of ferroelectric lithium niobate in LiNbO3-SiO2 glasses

Transparent glasses in the (100-x)LiNbO₃-xSiO₂ system where 20 ≤ × ≤ 35, were produced by conventional melt-quenching technique. The quenched samples were amorphous as proved by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. Annealing of the quenched samples at temperatures ranging from 580 to 975 °C resulted in the precipitation of lithium niobate nano-crystals. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the presence of randomly oriented LiNbO₃ nano-crystals dispersed in a continuous glass matrix. The relative dielectric constant (ε_r) was in the range of 80 to 180 and increased with increasing LiNbO₃ concentration. The glass ceramic samples annealed at temperatures up to 600 °C are fully transparent.     

Proton-exchanged Z-cut LiNbO3 waveguides for surfaceacoustic waves

Proton-exchanged (PE) waveguides in Z-cut LiNbO₃ have been fabricated using benzoic acid. Secondary-ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) measurements show that the distribution of hydrogen in the PE Z-cut LiNbO₃ samples exhibits a step-like profile with the diffusion constant D₀ and the activation energy Q of about 2.82×10⁸ μm²/h and 87.76 kJ/mol, respectively. On the other hand, the important parameters for the design of surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices are measured and discussed. The results show that the phase velocity and electromechanical coupling coefficient decrease with the increase of kd, where k is the wavenumber and d is the waveguide depth. The variation of insertion loss becomes saturated at about kd=0.068 with a maximum increase of about 4~5 dB. The temperature coefficient of delay calculated from the frequency change of the output of SAW delay line shows an evident increase in the PE layer. Moreover, the effects of postannealing can result in a restoration of the decreased velocity and an improvement of the insertion loss     

Cu ion in-diffusion in congruent LiNbO3 single crystals

Congruent LiNbO₃ (LN) crystals were grown by Czochralski technique. Thermal in-diffusion of transition metal ion Cu²⁺ into crystal wafers was performed at various temperatures. The absorption peaks in transmission spectra indicates the Cu²⁺ ion diffusion in LN crystal wafer. A broad absorption band centered at 948 nm was observed in the absorption spectra due to the vibronic transition associated with Cu²⁺ centers. The significant red shift in absorption edges indicates the decrease in Li/Nb ratio in Cu in-diffused crystal wafers. Powder XRD of pure and Cu in-diffused LN samples show no structural change during thermal diffusion.     

Optical bistability in BaTiO3

In this paper experimental results concerning the optical bistability of a ferroelectric monocrystal of BaTiO₃ are presented. Two laser beams were used to interact with the monocrystal which resulted in the bistability of the intensity of the transmitted wave. This was achieved without the application of any optical resonator. The feedback was provided by the electronic system through a mechanism typical to all photorefractive materials.     

High temperature stable GHz-range low-loss wide band transducersand filter using SiO2/LiNbO3, LiTaO3

GHz-range low-loss transducers and filters are required for communication systems, especially mobile telephone communication systems. Many types of low insertion-loss transducers and filters utilizing the high electromechanical coupling coefficient (K²) materials such as LiNbO₃ and LiTaO₃ have been developed. Unfortunately, these materials have large temperature coefficients of the frequency (TCF). In this paper, SAW substrates with high coupling coefficients and low propagation attenuations and small temperature coefficient of frequency in the GHz-range are theoretically and experimentally investigated. The experimental results show very low propagation loss of 0.02 dB/λ ₀ and larger K² than those of the substrates of LiNbO₃ and LiTaO₃ at the TCF of below -5 ppm/°C at 1~2 GHz-range. The low-loss filter results using internal reflection types of IDT show the insertion loss of about 2.9 dB at 1 GHz and 4.9 dB at 2 GHz under the TCF's of 0 and +20 ppm/°C. These materials are applicable for devices at GHz-range because SiO₂ thickness is very thin such as below 1 μm and the center frequency shift of the filter versus SiO₂ thickness is very small     

Analysis of dopant concentrations of Si and Fe in LiNbO3 single crystals by atomic absorption spectroscopy

The effective distribution coefficients of Fe and Si in LiNbO₃ single crystals were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy. For the determination of Si-concentration, the graphite furnace technique was used. In undoped crystals, the impurity levels of Si, Fe, Cu and Zn were measured. The influence of Si ions on the fixation process of phase holograms in LiNbO₃-crystals is briefly discussed.