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Improved Properties of Stoichiometric LiNbO3 for Electro-Optic Applications

National Institute for Research in Inorganic Materials, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, 305-0044 Japan KAzuo NIwAfurukawa{at}nirim.go.jp

Kenji Kitamura

Shyunji Takekawa

National Institute for Research in Inorganic Materials, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, 305-0044 Japan

Kazuo Niwa

NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd., 2808 Iwasaki, Komaki, 485-8510 Japan

Hideki Hatano

Corporate R & D Lab., Pioneer, 6-1-1 Fujimi, Tsurugashima, 350-2288 Japan

High quality stoichiometric LiNbO₃ single crystals, 40 mm in diameter and 80-100 mm in length, have been successfully grown by the double crucible Czochralski method equipped with automatic powder supply system using radio-frequency heating and automatic diameter control system. Although some difficulties still exist in growing 3 inch size single crystals from offcongruent composition melts, our results demonstrate that stoichiometric LiNbO₃ crystals containing much less nonstoichiometric defects than congruent LiNbO₃ exhibit some advantageous properties for holographic data storage applications. This was confirmed by the results of two-beam coupling experiment and digital hologram test. In digital holographic data storage, we have demonstrated that stoichiometric LiNbO₃ shows more than 10 times larger photorefractive sensitivity than congruent LiNbO₃ In order to interpret the high performance of stoichiometric LiNbO₃, we compared several relevant parameters such as electro-optic constants, photoconductivity, and photogalvanic constants between stoichiometric and congruent LiNbO₃ crystals. We report that material parameters are strongly dependent on the density of nonstoichiometric defects and control of these defects is of key importance in improving and tailoring those properties.

Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, Vol. 10, No. 6, 470-475 (1999)
DOI: 10.1106/NEY9-KVUV-H2CY-H94E


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