UV laser-induced poling inhibition in proton exchanged LiNbO3 crystals

摘要

The applicability of the UV laser-induced poling inhibition method for ferroelectric domain engineering in proton exchanged lithium niobate planar waveguides is investigated. Our results indicate that intense UV irradiation of proton exchanged lithium niobate samples can indeed produce poling inhibited domains in this material under certain irradiation conditions. However, there is strong indication that the temperature gradient that is formed during UV irradiation modifies the local proton concentration leading to changes in the refractive index profile of the original planar waveguide.