Being the optical component which converts the wavelength of the laser light which incidence is done inside the production mannered null monocrystal of the lithium niobate monocrystal

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a single crystal of lithium niobate for optical use excellent in polarity control characteristics, nonlinear optical characteristics and electro-optic characteristics, and to provide an optical element using the single crystal, and a manufacturing method for stably growing a lithium niobate single crystal.;SOLUTION: A single crystal of lithium niobate is obtained by growing from a melt of a composition having an excessive Li over its stoichiometric composition and having a molar fraction of Li₂O/(Nb₂O₅+Li₂O) within a range from 0.56 to 0.60, and is characterized in that: the melt contains a Mg element; the single crystal of lithium niobate contains a Mg element by 0.1 to 3.0 mol% with respect to the single crystal of lithium niobate crystal; the molar ratio Li₂O/(Nb₂O₅+Li₂O) in the single crystal of lithium niobate is in a range from 0.490 to less than 0.500; a voltage to be applied necessary for polarization inversion at room temperature is less than 3.7 kV/mm; and the single crystal of lithium niobate is to be used for an optical element using a polarity inversion structure.;COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT