Two dimensional ferroelectric domain patterns in Yb3+ optically active LiNbO3 fabricated by direct electron beam writing

Abstract

We report on highly controllable ferroelectric domain inversion in Yb 3þ doped LiNbO 3 laser crystal. The ferroelectric domain patterns are fabricated by direct electron beam writing without any previous masking process. Square lattices of inverted domains with diameters and distance between domains as low as 1 lm are demonstrated. The lateral growth of the inverted domains is analyzed as a function of the applied charge and the threshold values for domains in the 1-10 lm length scale are determined. Spatially resolved low temperature fluorescence spectroscopy and non-collinear second harmonic generation experiments are also employed to evaluate the optical properties of the system. A next generation of photonic and optoelectronic devices is now being developed by using ferroelectric crystals as multifunctional optically active substrates. The interest of these systems not only arises from their attractive electrooptic, piezoelectric, or pyroelectric properties but also from the possibility of shaping ferroelectric domains with opposite polarity at the micro and sub-micrometer scale, thus, providing unique performances. In fact, ferroelectric domain engineering is at the heart of a large variety of optical devices currently used in several scientific and technologically relevant fronts owing to the key role of frequency conversion processes on the generation and later control of light distribution.

Plasmonic enhancement of second harmonic generation from nonlinear RbTiOPO_4 crystals by aggregates of silver nanostructures

“…The inverted domains were directed along the c polar axis of the crystal and crossed the whole thickness of the sample (around 1 mm). Details on the procedure can be found elsewhere [18].…”

E-Beam Recording of Domain Structures on the Nonpolar Surface of LiNbO3Crystals at Different SEM Voltages and Their Investigation by PFM and SHG Microscopy

“…Since recently e-beam domain recording was performed by means of irradiation of the polar (Z-) surface [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. One of the authors (L. K.) pioneered in e-beam domain recording on the nonpolar ( Y or X) surfaces of LiTaO 3 and LiNbO 3 crystals [11,12].…”

“…This technique, however, fails when small, sub-micrometer domains are required. Electron-beam recording is one of alternative and promising techniques of PPLN fabrication [1][2][3] used in various applications [4][5][6][7][8].…”

Electron beam recording of microdomains on the nonpolar LiNbO3 crystal surface at different SEM accelerating voltages

“…The electron beam method make it possible to solve the most urgent problem, i.e., the development of two dimensional (2D) RDSs ("nonlinear photonic crys tals" [4]), which promise a number of new practical opportunities. Micrometer and submicrometer scale 2D RDSs were produced in LiNbO 3 by the electron beam method in [5][6][7][8][9].…”