Light‐mediated ferroelectric domain engineering and micro‐structuring of lithium niobate crystals

Abstract

Abstract An overview is presented of recently developed light‐mediated methods for ferroelectric domain engineering of lithium niobate single crystals. These methods include light‐assisted poling , UV laser‐induced inhibition of poling , and all‐optical poling . In addition to the primary application of ferroelectric domain patterns, namely the realization of non‐linear optical devices, the ability of transferring a domain pattern into a topographical structure by domain selective etching allows also for surface structuring of lithium niobate. This intertwining between ferroelectric domain patterns and surface topography has been used to fabricate exquisite micro‐structures based on unusual domains generated purposefully by these light‐mediated methods.